Spectrum analysis and blind estimation of number of targets in multiple PRF radars based on the compressive sensing method

Multiple pulse repetition frequency (PRF) radars are used for increasing the maximum unambiguous range and Doppler frequency. Because of the nonuniform transmitted pulses, special techniques are required for spectrum analysis of the received signal in these radars. An algorithm for spectrum analysis of multiple PRF radars is presented here. The algorithm is based on the compressive sensing (CS) theory and uses the sparse characteristic of received signal in frequency domain and universal sampling pattern of multiple PRF pulses for determining the Doppler frequencies of targets. Moreover, a CS-based algorithm for blind estimation of the number of targets is presented. The proposed algorithms work properly in low sampling rates and in the presence of multiple targets and Gaussian clutter. Simulation results are presented for illustrating high performance of the algorithms.