Optimal signals for spectral measurements at EKB SuperDARN radar: Theory and Experiment

TL;DR

This paper develops and tests optimal pulse sequences for spectral measurements at the EKB SuperDARN radar, demonstrating improved spectral width resolution with quasioptimal sequences based on Golomb rulers.

Contribution

It introduces quasioptimal pulse sequences based on Golomb rulers for SuperDARN radar, and experimentally validates their effectiveness over standard sequences.

Findings

Quasioptimal sequences up to 26 pulses are effective for spectral measurements.

Optimal 10- and 12-pulse sequences outperform standard 7-pulse sequences.

Spectral width improvements are demonstrated with new sequences.

Abstract

The requirements for an optimal sequence for SuperDARN radar are stated. Obtained quasioptimal signals up to 26-pulse sequence are based on optimal and nearly optimal Golomb rulers. It is shown that standard 7-pulse SuperDARN sequence is one of the quasioptimal sounding signals, but 8-pulse kascan SuperDARN signal is not. The characteristics are calculated for quasioptimal sounding sequences up to 26-pulse one. It is shown that the most effective signals for the spectral measurements are 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24 and 26 pulse sequences. We present the results of the first spectral measurements at the EKB SuperDARN radar with quasioptimal 8- and 9-pulse sequences, as well as with the optimal 10-and 12-pulse sequences. A comparison with the results obtained with standard 7-pulse SuperDARN sequence were made. The continuity of results in amplitude and velocity is shown, the expected improvement in the spectral width are also demonstrated.