Noncoherent radar refers to radar systems that do not maintain a constant phase relationship between the transmitted signal and the received echo signal. In non-coherent radar, the phase information of the received signal is not used for target detection and measurement. Instead, non-coherent radar systems typically rely on the amplitude or envelope of the received signal for target detection and range estimation. Non-coherent radar is simpler in design and implementation compared to coherent radar, but may have limitations in accuracy and target discrimination, particularly in complex environments with clutter or noise.
Coherent and non-coherent radar systems differ primarily in how they process phase information from received radar signals. Coherent radar systems maintain a constant phase relationship between transmitted and received signals, allowing precise measurement of target range, speed and direction based on phase differences. These systems use coherent processing techniques to analyze Doppler shifts and extract detailed information about detected targets. In contrast, non-coherent radar systems do not use phase information and instead rely on the amplitude or envelope of the received signal to detect targets and estimate their range. Non-coherent radar systems are generally simpler and less sensitive to phase variations, but may have reduced performance in terms of accuracy and target resolution compared to coherent radar.
The main difference between coherent and non-coherent detection is their use of phase information for signal processing. In coherent detection, phase coherence between transmitted and received signals is maintained and used for precise measurement of target parameters such as range, speed and angle. Coherent detection allows radar systems to distinguish between moving and stationary targets, track multiple targets simultaneously, and operate effectively in cluttered environments. Noncoherent detection, on the other hand, does not rely on phase information and instead uses amplitude or envelope detection techniques to detect targets. Non-coherent detection is simpler and less affected by phase noise but can lack the accuracy and sensitivity of coherent detection, particularly in difficult radar scenarios where accurate target discrimination and measurement is essential.