Sidelobe reduction with nonlinear frequency modulated waveforms

Pulse compression with Nonlinear Frequency Modulation (NLFM) is promising way for achieving fine resolution, good SNR, low cost, and good interference mitigation, A design method for nonlinear FM signals based on principle of Stationary phase is outlined. Ten popular methods of NLFM and LFM are investigated and their performance are assessed by measuring, sidelobe level reducing, Doppler sensitivity, and loss in SNR caused by Doppler shift for each method, all using medium pulse compression ratios. The simulation results are used to define the most suitable waveform for Sidelobe mitigation for SAR imaging system.