Frequency dependence of range resolution in wideband radar range data

Abstract

This paper uses wideband data collected at a radar range data collection facility to show that range resolution, in the sense of being able to resolve closely-spaced scatterers, varies not only as function of bandwidth, but also as a function of frequency. This phenomenon was predicted in a recent paper [1] using simulation results. The present paper verifies those results using real data. The ability to resolve two closely-spaced scatterers is measured using a defined quantity called peak separation quality. The present paper derives an expression for peak separation quality for the synthetic wideband waveforms used at the collection facility. This quantity is shown to vary in a predictable way as a function of both frequency and bandwidth. Data examples verify this result. This phenomenon is significant for wideband distributed aperture applications that use frequency variation to achieve waveform diversity.