Sensors (Sep 2023)
Advancing Stepped-Waveform Radar Jamming Techniques for Robust False-Target Generation against LFM-CFAR Systems
Abstract
This study investigates the utilization of a stepped wave frequency modulation jamming technique in radar systems. The objective is to enhance the effectiveness and robustness of false target jamming in the presence of linear frequency modulation (LFM) radars employing constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection. The proposed method combines stepped frequency modulation with full pulse delay/sum repeat jamming to enhance resilience against uncertainties in target parameters. Theoretical analysis and simulation experiments are conducted to establish relationships between key jammer parameters, such as frequency slope and power compensation, and performance metrics, like false target distribution and CFAR masking. The results demonstrate that the proposed technique effectively maintains a dense distribution of false targets surrounding the protected target, even in the presence of uncertainties in position and signal-to-noise ratio. In comparison to existing methods, the utilization of stepped-waveform modulation enables improved control over target distribution and CFAR masking. Adaptive power allocation compensates for parameter errors, thereby enhancing robustness. Simulation results reveal that the proposed approach significantly reduces the probability of detecting the true target by over 95% under uncertain conditions, while previous methods experienced degradation. The integration of stepped waveforms optimizes false target jamming, thereby advancing electronic warfare capabilities in countering advanced radar threats. This study establishes design principles for resilient jamming architectures and supports enhanced survivability against radars employing pulse compression and CFAR detection. Moreover, the concepts proposed in this study have the potential for extension to emerging radar waveforms.
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