Sidelobe level reduction for complex radar signals with small base

Abstract

The mostly applicable radar signal is pulse signal with linear frequency modulation (LFM). The main feature such signal is time-bandwidth product (so called base) which is calculated as product of pulse duration and signal bandwidth. Theoretical peak to sidelobe level is achievable with time-bandwidth product value grater than 100. For time-bandwidth product smaller then 100 (i.e. short pulse duration or narrow deviation of FM modulation) peak-to-sidelobe level (PSL) and pulse compression coefficient are significantly reduced. Non-linear frequency modulated (NLFM) radar signal for small time-bandwidth product features better PSL and pulse compression coefficient. The NLFM signal synthesis algorithm and simulation results are presented in the paper. LFM and NLFM signals with small time-bandwidth product are compared and results are discussed in aspect of radar resolution improvement.