Ranging and target detection performance through lossy media using an ultrawideband S-band through-wall sensing noise radar

An S-band noise radar has been developed for through-wall ranging and tracking of targets. Ranging to target is achieved by the cross-correlation between the time-delayed reflected return signal and the replica of the transmit signal; both are bandlimited ultrawideband (UWB) noise signals. Furthermore, successive scene subtraction allows for target tracking using the range profiles created by the cross-correlation technique. In this paper, we explore the performance of the radar system for target detection through varied, lossy media (e.g. a 4-inch thick brick wall and an 8-inch thick cinder-block wall) via correlation measurements using the S-band radar system. Moreover, we present a qualitative analysis of the S-band noise radar as operated under disparate testing configurations (i.e. different walls, targets, and distances.) with different antennas (e.g. dual polarized horns, helical antennas with different ground planes, etc.). In addition, we discuss key concepts of the noise radar design, considerations for an antenna choice, as well as experimental results for a few scenarios.