Performance Analysis of Communications & Radar Coexistence in a Covert UWB OSA System

Far-field target detection, multi-sensor communications, and security are essential requirements of first-emergency networks. A radar-communications system is a potential opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) solution, harnessing the coexisting advantages of radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and wireless communications. A multi-functional waveform has been designed, by embedding an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal within a spectrally notched ultra-wideband (UWB) random noise waveform. Extending that development, this paper analyzes the waveform´s Bit-Error-Rate (BER) and Ambiguity Function (AF) formulations to demonstrate its OSA ability, that offers reliable multi-user communications, and high range and Doppler resolution in target detection. We further conclude that up to 30% of the available UWB bandwidth can be simultaneously utilized for concealed data communications without adversely affecting radar performance or its physical layer covertness.