The focus of this book is on developing computational algorithms for transmit waveform design in active sensing applications, such as radar, sonar, communications and medical imaging. Waveforms are designed to achieve certain desired properties, which are divided into three categories corresponding to the three main parts in the book, namely good aperiodic correlations, good periodic correlations and beampattern matching. The principal approach is based on formulating practical problems mathematically and then solving the problems using optimization techniques. Particular attention is paid to making the developed algorithms computationally efficient. Theoretical analysis that describes performance lower bounds or limitations is provided. Various application examples using the newly designed waveforms are presented, including radar imaging, channel estimation, an ultrasound system for medical treatment and covert underwater spread spectrum communications.

This book is a research monograph. Its backbone is a series of innovative waveformdesign algorithms that we have developed in recent years. These algorithms address different specific problems of waveform design, yet the topics discussed are all centered around active sensing applications and the optimization techniques share similar ideas (e.g., iterative and cyclic procedures, incorporation of fast Fourier transforms, etc.). Notably, all these algorithms are computational approaches that reply on the implementation of computer programs, as opposed to classic waveform design approaches that are mostly analytical. By stitching these algorithms together in a book, we are able to tell a detailed story on various aspects of waveform design, within a consistent framework highlighting computational approaches.