Control and utilization of range-dependent beampattern with waveform diverse array radars

The transmit antenna beampattern of the phased array radar is only a function of angle, limiting its ability to discriminate the targets from the same direction. Recently, the waveform diverse array radars expand the angle-dependent beampattern to an angle-time-range-dependent three-dimensional function by modulating the frequencies/time delays/phases across different transmit antenna elements. In this respect, extra Degrees-of-Freedom (DOFs) in the range domain are achieved, which opens up an innovative way to fulfil the tasks with enhanced system performance by jointly using the angle and range information. This paper summaries the developments of waveform diverse radars, including the Frequency Diverse Array (FDA), the Space-Time-Circulating-Array (STCA), and the Element-Pulse-Coding (EPC) frameworks, with emphasis on the analysis of the range-dependent beampattern from the basic properties upon how it is controlled. Moreover, the most recent advances of utilizing such a range-dependent beampattern in target detection, parameter estimation and identifiability, clutter suppression, jammer suppression and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging are discussed.