Intro to Radar

1 PROBLEM You will be given a fast-time/slow-time matrix of raw baseband I&Q radar data that contains returns from exactly four targets (moving or stationary) as well as interference (noise and clutter). This project requires that you develop a radar signal processing algorithm that will allow you to try to detect each of the targets, and to estimate the range, radial velocity, and relative amplitude of each one found. Be sure to read everything below carefully. There are many details in the remaining sections that can help you get better results. It is an involved project. It is NOT a good idea to wait until the last minute to get started! 1. REQUIREMENTS You must submit a brief, informal report of your methods and findings that must include: 1. An overview description of how your processing algorithm works. This must include a block diagram of the major processing steps with a description of the rationale for each step, but need not include minute details of the implementation. 2. A listing of the computer program used to make your measurements. This is sufficient to convey most details. Code must be sufficiently modular and well- commented to be understood readily. Listings must also be included for any functions used which are not built into either MATLAB or one of its toolboxes. 3. Results showing how the program performs on the raw data. You must specifically provide the following information: The name of the data file that you used. The number of targets actually found in the data (ideally, four; but if your algorithm identifies more or fewer than 4, admit it!). The estimated range to each target, in kilometers. Targets are to be listed in order of increasing range. The estimated velocity of each target, in meters/sec. This must include the sign of the velocity. Positive velocities represent targets approaching the radar; negative velocities represent receding targets. Identify which target has the largest radar cross section (RCS), and then give the estimated RCS of the others relative to the largest in dB. Thus, your strongest target will have a relative RCS of 0 dB. No absolute values of RCS are required. Answer the following question: assuming no aliasing of target velocities (i.e., actual Doppler shifts are limited to PRF/2 Hz), what is the maximum change in range due to range-Doppler coupling? Are your estimates of target range affected by this range-Doppler coupling? The 2nd through 4th items in this list must be assembled into a single table in the first section of your report! Entries in the table should be in order of increasing range. A limited number of hard copy plots should be provided to substantiate your conclusions. 4. Three more details: You may assume that the range and Doppler measurements are not ambiguous, i.e. all ranges are less than cT/2 meters, and all Doppler shifts are in the range of +PRF/2 Hz. Interpret your Doppler axis as ranging over +PRF/2 Hz, not over (0,PRF) Hz. In other words, assume the maximum magnitude of the Doppler shift is PRF/2 Hz and allow for both approaching and receding targets. Additional information is given in Section 5 concerning the accuracy desired in the range, velocity, and RCS measurements. More accurate measurements produce better grades, but once you achieve the desired accuracies or better, further improvement is not necessary. Start working early. If you encounter problems, please ask questions to clarify anything that is vague. 1 PROBLEM You will be given a fast-time/slow-time matrix of raw baseband I&Q radar data that contains returns from exactly four targets (moving or stationary) as well as interference (noise and clutter). This project requires that you develop a radar signal processing algorithm that will allow you to try to detect each of the targets, and to estimate the range, radial velocity, and relative amplitude of each one found. Be sure to read everything below carefully. There are many details in the remaining sections that can help you get better results. It is an involved project. It is NOT a good idea to wait until the last minute to get started! 1. REQUIREMENTS You must submit a brief, informal report of your methods and findings that must include: 1. An overview description of how your processing algorithm works. This must include a block diagram of the major processing steps with a description of the rationale for each step, but need not include minute details of the implementation. 2. A listing of the computer program used to make your measurements. This is sufficient to convey most details. Code must be sufficiently modular and well- commented to be understood readily. Listings must also be included for any functions used which are not built into either MATLAB or one of its toolboxes. 3. Results showing how the program performs on the raw data. You must specifically provide the following information: The name of the data file that you used. The number of targets actually found in the data (ideally, four; but if your algorithm identifies more or fewer than 4, admit it!). The estimated range to each target, in kilometers. Targets are to be listed in order of increasing range. The estimated velocity of each target, in meters/sec. This must include the sign of the velocity. Positive velocities represent targets approaching the radar; negative velocities represent receding targets. Identify which target has the largest radar cross section (RCS), and then give the estimated RCS of the others relative to the largest in dB. Thus, your strongest target will have a relative RCS of 0 dB. No absolute values of RCS are required. Answer the following question: assuming no aliasing of target velocities (i.e., actual Doppler shifts are limited to PRF/2 Hz), what is the maximum change in range due to range-Doppler coupling? Are your estimates of target range affected by this range-Doppler coupling? The 2nd through 4th items in this list must be assembled into a single table in the first section of your report! Entries in the table should be in order of increasing range. A limited number of hard copy plots should be provided to substantiate your conclusions. 4. Three more details: You may assume that the range and Doppler measurements are not ambiguous, i.e. all ranges are less than cT/2 meters, and all Doppler shifts are in the range of +PRF/2 Hz. Interpret your Doppler axis as ranging over +PRF/2 Hz, not over (0,PRF) Hz. In other words, assume the maximum magnitude of the Doppler shift is PRF/2 Hz and allow for both approaching and receding targets. Additional information is given in Section 5 concerning the accuracy desired in the range, velocity, and RCS measurements. More accurate measurements produce better grades, but once you achieve the desired accuracies or better, further improvement is not necessary. Start working early. If you encounter problems, please ask questions to clarify anything that is vague