Linearizing an intermodulation radar transmitter by filtering switched tones

For nonlinear radar, the transmit power required to measure a detectable response from a target is relatively high, and generating that high power is achieved at the cost of linearity. This paper applies the distortion mitigation technique Linearization by Time-Multiplexed Spectrum (LITMUS) to intermodulation radar, a type of nonlinear radar which receives spectral content produced by the mixing of multiple frequencies at a nonlinear target. By implementing LITMUS, an experimental detection system for an intermodulation radar achieves a signal-to-noise ratio up to 20 dB for a total transmit power of approximately 80 mW and nonlinear targets placed at a standoff distance of 2 meters.