The feasibility of pulse compression by nonlinear effective bandwidth extension.

Chirp-encoded excitation has been utilized for increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in both linear and harmonic imaging. In either case, it is necessary to isolate the relevant frequency band to avoid artifacts. In contrast, the present study isolates and then combines the fundamental and the higher harmonics, treating them as a single, extended bandwidth. Pulse-inverted sum and difference signals are first used to isolate even and odd harmonics. Matched filters specific to the source geometry and the transmit signal are then separately applied to each harmonic band. Verification experiments are performed using up to the third harmonic resulting from an underwater chirp excitation. Analysis of signal peaks after scattering from a series of steel and nylon wires indicates increased compression using the extended bandwidth, as compared to well-established methods for fundamental and second harmonic chirp compression. Using third harmonic bands, a mean pulse width of 56% relative to fundamental compression and 48% relative to second harmonic compression was observed. Further optimization of the compression by altering the transmission indicated 17% additional reduction in the pulse width and a 47% increase in peak-to-sidelobe ratio. Overall, results establish the feasibility of extended bandwidth signal compression for simultaneously increasing SNR and signal resolution.