Waveform design for radar embedded communication

Abstract

Embedding of communication signals in the backscatter of radar by means of a RF tag/transponder has the disadvantage of either being covert and transmitting at a very low data rate or transmitting at a very high data rate but at the expense of the transmission not being covert. However in the proposed intra-pulse embedded communication, communication signals are embedded in the backscatter of the radar such that the communication is not only covert but also has a relatively high data rate compared to previous approaches. In intra-pulse communication, communication signals are embedded in the backscatter of radar on a per pulse basis in contrast to inter-pulse communication where the communication signal is embedded in a series of pulses of radar.

In order to achieve covertness and high data rate simultaneously, the communication waveforms to be embedded in the backscatter of radar need to be specifically designed and a coherent interference canceller is required to detect the waveforms. Three different types of design approaches for the design of covert communication waveforms (to embed in the backscatter of radar) have been discussed. The issues related to the waveform designs and the simulation results are presented.