One of the most powerful techniques in modern radar is pulse compression. It allows radar engineers to achieve high range resolution without the need for high peak transmission power. While this concept is often introduced in theory, SkyRadar brings it to life—visibly and interactively—with the NextGen Pulse Radar and FreeScopes.
At the heart of this approach is the combination of a shaped transmission pulse and a matched filter on the receiver side. In the NextGen Pulse Radar, we transmit a Gaussian-shaped pulse. This amplitude-modulated waveform distributes its energy efficiently over time and frequency, making it ideal for compression. On reception, the radar system applies a matched filter tailored precisely to that Gaussian pulse. The effect is that the extended echo collapses into a short, high-energy peak, enabling sharper distinction between closely spaced targets. You find the matched filter in FreeScopes ATC II.
This process becomes vividly clear in the practical demonstration. In this scene, a person stands in the radar field, holding a corner reflector. The reflector is gradually moved closer to and farther from the person. Using FreeScopes, we compare two signal branches in real-time: one without pulse compression, and one with matched filtering enabled.
Without pulse compression, the reflected radar echoes from the person and the corner reflector tend to blend together when they are in close proximity. The returns become broad, overlapping, and hard to separate. But when pulse compression is activated, a transformation occurs. Even as the reflector approaches the person, the radar maintains a clear distinction between the two reflections. The peaks in the A-Scope remain separate and well-defined.
This demonstration makes the value of matched filtering tangible. It shows that signal clarity is not merely a matter of hardware, but also of intelligent processing. FreeScopes empowers learners to understand and interact with these principles by allowing them to switch filters on and off, adjust settings, and see how their changes impact detection in real-time.
Pulse compression is not an abstract theory in SkyRadar’s ecosystem. It’s something learners can manipulate, test, and understand with their own eyes. The new video offers a compelling introduction to this capability. We invite educators and learners alike to watch and see how advanced radar techniques come to life in the lab.
In a subsequent article, we will explore pulse compression in SkySim, SkyRadar’s powerful simulator. There, you will be able to work with modulated waveforms like chirps, simulate multiple moving targets, and apply pulse compression digitally to resolve fine distinctions. But first, start with the real-world demonstration—and discover how a person and a piece of metal can reveal the magic of modern radar processing.
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