IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems
Quantum Radar Ambiguity Function
Hao Duan, Jun Li, Weihao Wang, Jihong Guo, Qinghua Guo
Abstract
Quantum radar (QR) has been shown to provide enhanced performance in target detection and parameter estimation, while its resolution capability remains largely unexplored. In classical radar theory, the ambiguity function is used to characterize waveform resolution capability. However, the volume invariance of the ambiguity function and the uncertainty relation of the Fourier transform impose fundamental limitations on the resolution capability of any single waveform. In this paper, we extend the idea of waveform ambiguity function to QR systems, thereby developing a quantum ambiguity function (QAF) that enables the evaluation of the ultimate resolution of quantum states and serves as a guide for quantum state design. We show that quantum entanglement reduces the volume of the QAF and increases the time- bandwidth product, thereby overcoming these classical limitations. Furthermore, by drawing an analogy to classical waveform modulation, we show how modulating entangled states can further improve resolutions and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these improvements.