Radar Detection-Inspired Signal Retrieval from the Short-Time Fourier Transform

This paper presents a novel adaptive algorithm for multicomponent signal decomposition from the time-frequency (TF) plane using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT). The approach is inspired by a common technique used within radar detection called constant false alarm rate (CFAR). The areas with the strongest magnitude are detected and clustered, allowing for TF mask creation and filtering only those signal modes that contribute the most. As a result, one can extract a particular component void of noise and interference regardless of the signal character. The superiority understood as an improved reconstructed waveform quality of the proposed method is shown using both simulated and real-life radar signals.