An Algorithm for Selection of Stepped-Frequency Pulse Trains with Low Sidelobes

For purposes of a high range resolution radar, it is desirable to transmit signals with wide overall bandwidth. Frequency stepping is one of the known and well-studied techniques that can be used to achieve this goal. The autocorrelation function of a uniform stepped-frequency pulse train suffers from relatively high range sidelobes and grating lobes. The purpose of this paper is to present a new algorithm for designing stepped-frequency waveforms whose sidelobes are suppressed below a desired threshold level.