Method and apparatus for creating and processing universal radar waveforms

Non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage media containing programming code which, when executed by a computer system, causes an antenna system to radiate radar signals which include a pattern of pulses having:

• at least two neighboring radar pulses that have a separation that is substantially unequal to the separation between at least two other neighboring pulses in the pattern of pulses;
• a mainlobe radiation pattern with a width that is near or substantially equal to the minimum possible mainlobe width;
• and
• sidelobe radiation patterns with substantially even energy distribution.

A radar reception system comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a radar signal which includes a first data set having a plurality of values based on a radar waveform return from a set of transmitted radar pulses;
• and
• a processing system configured to create a second data set comprising the first data set minus at least one significant value from the first data set and its effects on other values within the first data set when the set of transmitted radar pulses has:
• a separation between at least two neighboring pulses that is substantially unequal to the separation between at least two other neighboring pulses in the set;
• a mainlobe radiation pattern with a width that is near or substantially equal to the minimum possible width;
• and
• sidelobe radiation patterns with a substantially even distribution of energy.

Non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage media containing programming code which, when executed by a computer system, creates a second data set comprising a first data set having a plurality of values based on a radar waveform return from a set of transmitted radar pulses minus at least one significant value from the first data set and its effects on other values within the first data set when the set of transmitted radar pulses has:

• a separation between at least two neighboring pulses that is substantially unequal to the separation between at least two other neighboring pulses in the set;
• a mainlobe radiation pattern with a width that is near or substantially equal to the minimum possible width;
• and
• sidelobe radiation patterns with a substantially even distribution of energy.

A radar transmission system comprising:

• a processing system configured to generate pulses;
• a transmitter system configured to convert the pulses into one or more radar signals;
• and
• an antenna system configured to radiate the radar signals,
• wherein the processing system, the transmitter system, and/or the antenna system are configured such that the radiated radar signals include a pattern of radar pulses having
• a separation between at least two neighboring pulses that is at least twice the shortest separation between all of the other neighboring pulses in the set.