Digital vs. SAW matched filter implementation for radar pulse compression

The implementation of a full-digital system for radar pulse compression is described. The use of a high-speed FFT processor allows the matched filter to operate in the frequency domain at a throughput rate of some MHz. FM signals having time-bandwidth products up to 512 can be processed. By using the sophisticated procedures developed for chirp waveform design in SAW filter implementations, the system is shown capable of providing compressed pulses with satiable levels in the 50 dB range. Significant experimental results are reported, and compared with those yielded by equivalent SAW compressors