Properties of chosen OFDM-generated radar waveforms

Abstract

Within research presented in this article, several radar waveforms were designed. Waveforms based on common simple and complex radiolocational signals were combined using OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). Combined with the ever-increasing technological possibilities, OFDM can be a valuable tool to overcome the challenges of modern radiolocation, such as limited spectrum resources and the improvement of electronic intelligence (ELINT) and electronic warfare (EW) methods. Despite it has become quite common in today's radiolocation, OFDM still appears to be a innovative solution with high development potential and a lot of still unused possibilities. Due to above, an attempt was made to explore the properties of waveforms significantly differing from typical telecommunications modulations. Designed signals were subjected to the analysis of properties in the time and frequency domains using cross-sections of the ambiguity function. The results were compared with the properties of classic radar signals in a given frequency band. The goal of the simulations was to illustrate the potential benefits and losses in the time-frequency waveforms of the synthesized signal compared to classic solutions. Potential degradation of signal parameters is a particularly important issue for combined radar-communication systems. The proprietary element of the study is the synthesis and analysis of signals containing different types of modulation on individual sub-bands simultaneously. The collected results will be used for further research on the methods of synthesis and processing of radiolocation signals using OFDM technology.