Quantum Radar Signal Processing

Abstract

Quantum radars use phenomena from quantum physics, such as quantum entanglement, to enhance detection performance compared with classical radars. This thesis presents an end-to-end analysis of an entanglement-based radar called quantum two-mode squeezing radar (QTMS radar). This type of radar is of particular interest because a QTMS radar experiment has actually been performed, and because QTMS radars are closely related to a type of classical radar known as noise radar (NR).As part of the analysis, we develop a mathematical theory of QTMS radars and show that QTMS radars and NRs can be united under a single probabilistic model.We then show how their signals are to be processed to determine the presence or absence of a target, and undertake an extensive analysis of the target detection performance of QTMS radars and NRs. These theoretical results are verified using data drawn from a QTMS radar experiment and a laboratory NR. One important conclusion, supported by both theory and experiment, is that the receiver operating characteristic curve for a QTMS radar is better than that of an NR with the same signal powers. Throughout the thesis, we emphasize the need to establish common ground between quantum physics and radar engineering, and it is hoped that the unified theory of QTMS radar and NR presented here will play a role in this.