Code shift keying based joint radar and communications for EMCON applications

Abstract

Due to the explosion in the demand for broadband wireless services by consumers, wireless network service providers require increased frequency allocations from an already crowded frequency spectrum. In an effort to satisfy the increased frequency spectrum requirements of wireless communications networks, several methods have been proposed to allow communication systems and radars to co-exist within the same bandwidth or adjacent frequency bands while minimizing or preventing mutual interference. Most methods explored in the literature focus on the use of cognitive sensing and dynamic spectrum allocation. Other proposed methods to prevent mutual interference between radar and communications systems focus on waveform design. In this manuscript, a dual function communication and radar system with EMCON applications is investigated that uses Gold or Kasami codes in a code shift keying digital modulation scheme. The use of both binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) to modulate the code bits is investigated. The communications signal is used as the radar signal to implement a pseudo-random BPSK or QPSK coded radar. The symbol error rate (SER) of the communication system is determined through Monte Carlo simulations and compared to an SER upper bound for M-ary frequency shift keying. The radar signal's periodic autocorrelation function (PACF) and periodic ambiguity function are also examined demonstrating the schemes potential for use in a low probability of intercept radar application. The radar signal's characteristics are compared when using pseudo-random BPSK and QPSK modulations.