Coherent processing of ultra-wideband radar signals

An ultra-wideband radar (UWB radar) is defined as a radar with a large fractional bandwidth (typically, 100%) as opposed to a conventional radar which has small fractional bandwidth (typically much less than 5%). Clarification is given of issues surrounding use of ultra-wideband signals in a coherent surveillance radar and processing algorithms are proposed. The author has chosen to do this in a development employing conventional complex signal representation and Doppler type terminology, but also draws out some connections to time domain implementations. He discusses the difficulties of coherent UWB signal use in a surveillance radar, develops an algorithm for the coherent suppression of clutter and integration of target energy, shows the connection of this algorithm to conventional radar processing via complex signal analysis and a multichannel concept, and discusses implementation issues and detection strategies. Alone the way, connections to related work in the acoustic and seismic fields are pointed out. Application of the theory is illustrated by simulation and by flight test data from a UHF ultra-wideband radar