Diversity Aspects of Radar-Embedded Communications

This paper discusses aspects of intra-pulse radar-embedded communications whereby a tag/transponder illuminated by a radar converts the illumination waveform into one of a set of K communication waveforms with which to convey information to a spatially separated receiver. Initial work based upon an expansion of the radar spectrum has demonstrated the potential for significant data-rate improvement relative to previous inter-pulse approaches while still maintaining a low probability of intercept. In this work, a general mathematical formulation for intra-pulse radar-embedded communications is presented. This formulation provides insight into options for even higher data-rates by utilizing additional degrees-of-freedom.