Adaptive waveform design for multi-sector array isolation

Abstract

Multi-sector arrays have been used for decades, including applications on ships, aircraft, vehicles, and ground-based platforms. In most of these applications, however, spatial isolation generated through the use of strategic sector placement has provided sufficient overall isolation between each sector. The United States has recently been exploring the potential for a multi-function phased array radar (MPAR) network that would provide surveillance, tracking, and detection capabilities for the nation's weather, terminal weather, and national airspace missions. Several studies have assumed a multi-sector approach on a single platform. With the goal of allowing each sector to independently operate, concerns regarding isolation between the sectors have introduced the desire to gain additional isolation through waveform design. Recent advances in frequency-modulated pulse compression techniques have afforded the ability to maximize sensitivity and sidelobe performance within a given time-bandwidth specification; however, waveform design has the potential to bring numerous other spectral efficiency advancements to the MPAR mission. A generalization of recent waveform design techniques into a multi-sector waveform group is presented. Simulations of a four-sector waveform group are carried out and optimized for minimal interference. The ability to achieve high waveform-based isolation is combined with varying spatial isolations and slight frequency offsets to drastically reduce overall spectrum usage for a multi-sector array.