Phase-Attached Determinstic/Random Waveform (PADRa) for SAR Applications

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems have used deterministic waveform modulation schemes, such as linear frequency modulation (LFM), effectively for many years. LFM spectral shaping via amplitude tapering makes LFM a desirable choice in SAR image processing, significantly reducing high sidelobe levels. Random frequency modulation (RFM) waveforms provide unique waveforms for every pulse with low cross-correlation, but suffer from high-sidelobe levels that are not easily reducible. This study aims to show how the phase-attached deterministic/random (PADRa) waveform can be utilized to spectrally shape a subclass of RFM waveforms, providing sidelobe reduction while still producing unique waveforms with low cross correlation.