MATLAB Simulations for Radar Systems Design
Simulation is integral to the successful design of modern radar systems, and there is arguably no better software for this purpose than MATLAB. But software and the ability to use it does not guarantee success. One must also:
Ö Understand radar operations and design philosophy
Ö Know how to select the radar parameters to meet the design requirements
Ö Be able to perform detailed trade-off analysis in the context of radar sizing, modes of operation, frequency selection, waveforms, and signal processing
Ö Develop loss and error budgets associated with the design
MATLAB Simulations for Radar Systems Design teaches all of this and provides the M-files and hands-on simulation experience needed to design and analyze radar systems. Part I forms a comprehensive description of radar systems, their analysis, and the design process. The authors' unique approach involves a design case study introduced in Chapter 1 and followed throughout the text. As the treatment progresses, the complexity increases and the case study requirements are adjusted accordingly. Part II presents a series of chapters-some authored by other experts in the field-on specialized radar topics important to a full understanding of radar systems design and analysis.
A comprehensive set of MATLAB programs and functions support both parts of the book and are available for download from the CRC Press Web site.
Why Read This Book
You will get hands‑on experience implementing radar signal‑processing algorithms in MATLAB, plus concrete guidance on selecting parameters and performing tradeoffs for system design. The book emphasizes simulation-driven understanding so you can quickly evaluate detection performance, pulse compression, Doppler processing, and sizing decisions.
Who Will Benefit
Practicing radar engineers, system designers, and graduate students who need to prototype and analyze radar signal‑processing chains and system tradeoffs using MATLAB.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Undergraduate signals & systems and basic probability/statistics; familiarity with MATLAB (writing scripts and functions); basic radar concepts (range, Doppler, antenna gain) recommended.
Key Takeaways
- Implement the radar equation and perform link‑budget/radar sizing simulations in MATLAB
- Design and simulate radar waveforms and pulse compression (matched filtering) to evaluate range resolution and sidelobes
- Construct Doppler processing chains (FFT-based pulse-Doppler, MTI) and analyze velocity resolution and ambiguity
- Evaluate detection performance and implement CFAR detectors to quantify Pd/Pfa under different noise/clutter conditions
- Model clutter, noise, and propagation effects and include loss/error budgets in system analyses
- Perform end-to-end tradeoff studies (frequency selection, PRF, waveform, antenna parameters) to meet design requirements
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction and MATLAB Environment for Radar Simulations
- 2. Radar Fundamentals and the Radar Equation
- 3. System Performance Metrics and Detection Theory
- 4. Waveform Design and Pulse Compression
- 5. Matched Filtering and Range Processing
- 6. Doppler Processing, MTI and Pulse‑Doppler Radars
- 7. Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) and Thresholding Techniques
- 8. Clutter Modeling, Propagation Losses and SNR Budgets
- 9. Antenna Patterns, Beamforming and Array Considerations
- 10. Radar Sizing, Modes of Operation, and Trade‑off Analysis
- 11. Tracking Basics and Introduction to Filtering for Track Maintenance
- 12. MATLAB M‑files, Examples, and Simulation Case Studies
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More application and MATLAB‑focused than Skolnik's Introduction to Radar Systems or Richards' Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing; Mahafza emphasizes hands‑on simulations and system sizing where Richards gives deeper DSP theory and Skolnik covers classical radar fundamentals.
