This chapter covers how in principle chaos can meet communications challenges, and the use of chaos to provide signals in both radar and sonar is then considered. For compactness and to establish that results in one domain cross over to the other, the common aspects are dealt with first beginning with an introduction to chaotic signals and terminology. The ability of chaotic radar and sonar to offer improvements in transmitter hardware, covertness, and coverage of the search volume are discussed. Implementation and practical issues arising from the unique properties of chaotic systems are considered and the results of acoustic experiments and trials are given that support prediction from simulation findings. The chapter finishes with a presentation of radar specific issues wherein a unique target adaptive radar architecture and radar applications are discussed. This material was originally presented in four papers published in 2006 at the International Waveform Diversity and Design conference [7], at a workshop on the transmission of Chaotic signals [8], at EuRAD2006 [9], and at the IET Symposium on Waveform Diversity and Design in Communications, Radar and Sonar [10].

Inspec keywords: chaos; radar transmitters; radar signal processing; diversity reception; sonar signal processing

Other keywords: chaotic waveforms; EuRAD2006; waveform diversity; design conference; transmitter hardware; chaotic systems; international waveform diversity; sonar signals; radar applications; radar signals; chaotic signals; unique target adaptive radar architecture

Subjects: Sonar and acoustic radar; Signal processing and detection