Incoherent scatter radar: High-speed signal acquisition and processing

The incoherent scatter radar (ISR) technique provides an efficient tool for measuring ionosphere parameters. These parameters are of important significance for radio communication and satellite navigation. Modern incoherent scatter radars rely on most complicated coding schemes to bring statistical accuracy to the measurements. In this paper, first we introduce a new hardware system for high-speed signal acquisition of ISR. Then two combination codes of alternating code and Barker code are presented which can facilitate full use of radar duty cycle and thus make the results accurate enough for analysis. The Barker-coded alternating code and the alternating-coded Barker code are suitable for E region and F region, respectively. Simulation experiment results demonstrate the validity of the presented methods.