Pulse Compression Results Using Metallic Reflective Array Lines

Radar pulse-compression results are presented for the first reflective-array compressor (RAC) dispersive delay lines (DDL) with both metallic reflecting arrays and phase-compensating films. The time-bandwidth product of the devices reported is approximately 400. Operation in a recirculation loop with a 37.5-dB Taylor weighting filter yielded 36-dB near-in range sidelobes. RMS phase errors less than 0.71 degrees across the band were achieved. Greater than 50-dB rejection of spurious response is achieved in the far-out range gate region. The potential for high-quality cost-effective fabrication of metallic RAC DDL for system applications is explored.