System and method for sidelobe reduction using point spread function expansion

A method for detecting a plurality of targets, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a coded pulse signal for scattering by each target to generate a return signal;
• receiving said return signal;
• applying pulse compression to said return signal to create a pulse-compressed signal;
• developing an expansion expression, said expression being a summation of terms, with each term including a point spread function and a complex coefficient;
• applying said expansion expression to said pulse-compressed signal to optimize said complex coefficients;
• and
• processing said complex coefficients to detect said targets.

A radar system for detecting a plurality of targets, said radar system comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting a coded pulse signal for scattering by each target to generate a return signal;
• a receiver for receiving said return signal and creating a pulse-compressed signal therefrom;
• a means for expanding said pulse-compressed signal to a generalized Fourier expansion expression, said expression being a summation of terms, with each term including a point spread function and a complex coefficient;
• and
• a processing means for detecting said targets from said complex coefficients.