| This thesis focuses on enhancing ultra-wideband radar range performance to meet the requirements of a low visibility radar altimeter. A two stage, MATLAB(TM) coded wavelet transform algorithm, which provides target range measurements, is developed and used to process radar waveforms captured by a prototype UWB altimeter. Range measurement accuracy and maximum radar range metrics are compared with that of a background template subtraction/threshold technique. Degradation of target detection performance related to hardware replacement or modification is evaluated. The wavelet transform algorithm increased the maximum radar range of the altimeter from 18.6 meters to 33 meters with transmit power within FCC limits. The blind region was reduced from 2 meters to 0.6 meters. Also, a reduced number of pulse integrations are supportable. The algorithm performance was not degraded during a field unit replacement process. |
