Detection and localization of RF radar pulses in noise environments using wavelet packet transform and higher order statistics

Abstract

Weak signal detection and localization are basic and important problems in radar systems. Radar performance can be improved by increasing the receiver output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Localizing the received signal is an important task in the detection of signal in noise. Distorting the localization of the received signal can leads to incorrect target range measurements. In this paper an algorithm is described for extracting and localizing an RF radar pulse from a noisy background. The algorithm combines two powerful tools: the wavelet packet analysis and higher-order-statistics (HOS). The use of the proposed technique makes detection and localization of RF radar pulses possible in very low signal-to-noise ratio conditions, which leads to a reduction of the required microwave power or alternatively extending the detection range of radar systems.