A technique for the generation of customizable ultra-wideband pseudo-noise waveforms

Abstract

Noise excitation sources in radar systems have become increasingly useful in applications requiring wideband spectral responses and covertness. However, in applications requiring spectral controllability, traditional analog noise sources prove troublesome and require additional hardware such as sets of digital filters whose own spectral characteristics must also be accounted for. In an effort to reduce these issues and increase the applications of noise waveforms, a technique for generating a fully controllable pseudo-noise waveform is presented. This pseudonoise waveform will be generated through the use of a multi-tone waveform. By randomizing the phase angles and setting the appropriate amplitudes to the individual tones, the result is a waveform whose temporal pattern resembles noise and frequency response is broadband. The capabilities of this digitally produced pseudo-noise multi-tone waveform is presented by optimization via a water-filling technique, thereby producing a flat spectral response for a user defined amplitude, effectively removing the spectral effects of the radar components. This optimized waveform is used to present methods for increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR) of cross-correlated responses of the waveform through the application of window functions to the waveform. As a whole, this paper showcases the ability to use this pseudo-noise multi-tone waveform for complete ultra-wideband (UWB) spectral control through water-filling and a method for increasing SNR of the cross correlated response of the transmitted and received radar waveform for a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz ranging from 2 to 4.5 GHz.

Shaping the spectrum of random-phase radar waveforms.

“…Vela, et al, 13 apply window functions to a "multi-tone" waveform in the time domain to control spectral characteristics.…”