Chaos-based FM signals: Application and implementation issues

Constant-envelope wideband signals are useful excitations in many engineering tasks. Here, we consider their hardware-based generation, reviewing recent results and adding new ones. We focus on a synthesis technique based on FM modulators and discrete-time chaotic sources. The degrees of freedom offered by this approach are discussed and managed to satisfy common requirements. We show that good rate-of-mixing chaotic sources are highly desirable; then, given that most current-generation chaotic sources do not provide adequate values, we illustrate how their designs can be improved. We conclude by suggesting possible developments regarding weakly mixing chaotic sources.