Nonlinear radar technology has been employed in various applications for a few decades, primarily focusing on second-order harmonic radar systems. This study delves into the potential benefits and drawbacks of utilizing higher-order harmonic radar systems. We present a comparative analysis between second- and third-order harmonic systems using Cadence AWR Visual System Simulator (VSS) followed by experimental validation. In the experiments, target emulation is achieved through nonlinear tags. In contrast, cluttered environments near the targets are simulated using corner reflectors, with the tag and the corner reflector moving at different frequencies facilitated by Zaber linear actuators. Our findings reveal both the advantages and limitations associated with higher-order systems, offering valuable insights into an underexplored area of research within the domain of harmonic radar technology. This contribution addresses the existing gap in the literature pertaining to higher-order harmonic radars by providing comparative analyses using both measurement and simulation data.
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