Radar Design Principles: Signal Processing and the Environment. Second Edition
A true classic in the field, available once again, this widely respected source on radar design offers coverage of digital technology, weather radar, microburst detection, and digital correlators. Providing a broad look at modern theory as well as a review of all the development in practical equipment design and construction in recent years, this resource for radar engineers includes four chapters on equations and detection theory, plus seven on waveforms and signal processing.
Why Read This Book
You should read this book if you want a practical, design-oriented bridge between radar theory and real systems: you will learn how detection theory, waveforms, and modern digital signal processing combine to solve real radar problems such as clutter, weather returns, and microburst detection. The book blends clear theoretical foundations with hands-on engineering guidance—making it valuable for designing and evaluating radar receivers, correlators, and signal-processing chains.
Who Will Benefit
Ideal for radar engineers and signal-processing practitioners with some background in signals and probability who are designing or analyzing airborne, ground-based, or weather radar systems and need a practical reference on detection, waveforms, and DSP techniques.
Level: Advanced — Prerequisites: Undergraduate calculus and linear algebra, basic signals and systems, familiarity with Fourier transforms and probability/statistics, and introductory electromagnetics/radar concepts.
Key Takeaways
- Apply radar detection theory and signal-to-noise analyses to predict system performance and set detection thresholds
- Design and evaluate radar waveforms (including pulse compression) and matched-filter/FFT-based receivers for range and Doppler resolution
- Implement MTI and Doppler-processing strategies to detect moving targets and mitigate clutter
- Analyze environmental effects (weather, microbursts, clutter) and choose signal-processing approaches to identify and reject interference
- Design and use digital correlators and understand practical DSP algorithms used in radar receivers and signal chains
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction and History of Radar Design
- 2. Fundamental Radar Equations and System Parameters
- 3. Detection Theory and Probability of Detection/False Alarm
- 4. Noise, SNR, and Receiver Performance
- 5. Radar Waveforms and Pulse Compression
- 6. Matched Filters, FFTs, and Spectral Analysis
- 7. Moving Target Indication (MTI) and Doppler Processing
- 8. Digital Correlators, Adaptive Filtering, and CFAR Techniques
- 9. Clutter, Scintillation, and Environmental Effects
- 10. Weather Radar and Microburst Detection
- 11. Communications Aspects, Jamming, and Interference Mitigation
- 12. Practical Receiver Design, Calibration, and Measurement
- 13. System Examples, Design Tradeoffs, and Future Directions
- Appendices: Mathematical Background, Tables, and Reference Data
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Skolnik's Introduction to Radar Systems (broad, textbook-style overview) and Richards' Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing (deep DSP focus), Nathanson's book is more design-practical—tying detection theory and environmental issues directly to engineering choices.
