Signal detection algorithm using Discrete Wavelet Transform and Radon Transform

In radar, the received echo signal from a target is generally very weak and noisy. Further, the ON time of transmit pulses is made very narrow for signal security considerations. Hence in such applications, as the desired range is increased, the signal becomes very weak resulting in more noise power than the signal power. Conventionally Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) approach is used to suppress noise components by making the appropriate transform coefficients null, subject to the condition that the input Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the received signal is high. At low SNR conditions, it is not possible to distinguish the noise components as it overlaps with signal components. In these circumstances, the energy concentration property of Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) makes it suitable for the analysis of radar target signals. This paper introduces a novel radar signal detection algorithm using DWT and Radon Transform. The performance analysis of the algorithm shows that the target can be detected even at the input SNR of -15 dB.