Retro-directive noise correlation radar with extremely low acquisition time

A new retro-directive antenna based search radar system has been introduced. The suggested system uses a novel noise correlation technique. Simulation and analytical results show an order of magnitude improvement in the acquisition time of the radar when compared to a phased array antenna based radar system with the same specifications, except transmit power. To the best of knowledge of the authors, no radar of a comparable acquisition time has been designed to date. The power versus acquisition time tradeoff has been compared with the phased array radar for evaluating the performance of the system. The radar system is self-tracking due to retro-directivity of the antenna array, and is much easier to implement, as it does not require any phase shifters etc.