Pulse Compression is a signal processing technique widely used in modern radars to achieve improvements in key system parameters such as range and resolution. It can be achieved in a number of ways, but the technique which has been used most frequently and effectively involves the use of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology.

MESL is one of the premier world class designers of SAW Pulse Compression Subsystems and has designed equipment for all of the following applications:

• Air Traffic Control
• Long Range Surveillance
• Marine Reconnaisance
• Helicopter Terrain Surveillance
• Man Pack Battlefield Surveillance
• Tracking
• Phased Array
• Synthetic aperture

SAW Subsystems

MESL has over 25 years of experience in the design of SAW pulse compression products, we have specialised in the design and manufacture of subsystems which simplify the integration of the unit into a radar system, and ease the problems of interfacing with the individual, complex SAW devices. SAW delay lines have a high insertion loss and poor electrical match, so we have developed specialised circuits to reduce interface and test difficulties, and to ensure the ultimate in pulse compression performance is achieved.

Using a MESL subsystem the interface simplifies to a TTL logic signal and 50 ohm (1.5 VSWR) RF terminations. With this in mind the radar designer can concentrate on the system problem - leaving the detailed complexities of the subsystem to our experts.