Pulse Descriptor Word (PDW) simulator - version 1.0

When developing pulse handling algorithms, a developer may face various problems with respect to the use of real data to test his or her algorithms. Some of these problems can be solved by using simulated data instead (or in addition). We have developed a first version of a Pulse Descriptor Word (PDW) simulator with a user-friendly interface in Matlab. The simulator produces PDWs with information about time of arrival (TOA), amplitude, frequency, pulse width, and angle of arrival (AOA), based on information about scene geometry and radar and sensor properties. Applying the PDW simulator to a test scenario has shown that the simulator produces quite realistic output. The PDW simulator was also used to test a deinterleaving algorithm – the LINE Deinterleaver. The benefits of controlling the input scenario, as well as knowing the absolute truth about which pulse belongs to which radar, was clearly seen for this type of application. We conclude that the PDW simulator could be a valuable additional tool when developing and testing pulse handling algorithms. The current version of the PDW simulator software simulates rotating radars in 2 dimensions on a flat Earth. Future versions of the software could be expanded to operate in 3 dimensions and to use an elliptical Earth. Obstacles could be added to the scenario, and integration of the software with 3D maps could open up for the possibility to create realistic geographic scenarios. Non-rotating radars and additional parameters and measurements such as crystal frequency and Doppler could also be included. The user interface could be upgraded to further facilitate the use of the PDW simulator.