Waveform diversity: Hardware demonstration

Abstract

Waveform diversity has been investigated by various organizations for a number of specific multiple function systems for about ten years. Applications that are being investigated include: • Multi-Mission Systems, including joint radar/embedded communications and simultaneous multi-mission radar • Advanced Target Classification, using multi-static imaging or multi-band/multi-static operation • Multi-Static Surveillance, including using distributed apertures to provide improved detection, tracking and interference rejection • Radars with unique modulation or unique spectrum usage. Each of these applications has constraints that prevent them from being accomplished with conventional waveforms. However, the greater design space of waveform diversity may provide the required capability. In previous work, multi-mission waveform methodology was extended to provide interleaved waveforms sequentially radiated from an aperture, and simultaneous orthogonal waveforms radiated from sub-apertures of the radar system. But effective operation in other modes (track, id, handoff) will require greater flexibility than is available with only the interleaved and sub-aperture approaches. A further advance in multi-mission waveform is required. Orthogonal waveforms must be radiated from the whole aperture simultaneously in addition to the mode using sub-apertures. In fact, a full capability multi-mission radar would require all three modes and the goal of our ongoing effort is to develop and demonstrate such a capability. When this goal is met, airborne radar systems concepts can be developed to meet a full spectrum of multi-mission needs. Our effort to develop simultaneous waveforms for air and ground surveillance (SWAGS) focuses on the critical software and hardware technologies required to make this full capability multi-mission radar feasible.