FMCW chirped radar system distortion modeled as an AM message with carrier

Traditional FMCW theory with a chirped radar signal assumes that the measured return after mixing is a sinusoid whose frequency is a function of the distance to the reflecting objects. The broadband nature of chirped radar exposes the fact that components in the system are not equally efficient at all frequencies. This paper describes the theory behind modeling a chirped radar measured return as an AM message with a carrier tone and presents measurements for support.