MATLAB: Do I need a receiver channel when I using ULA

fmcwPhased Array System Toolbox

I'm setting a FMCW radar simulation platform with ULA.
I read example code in helperFMCWTwoRaySimulate.m and Automotive Adaptive Cruise Control Using FMCW Technology.
for m = 1:Nsweep
    % Update radar and target positions

    [radar_pos,radar_vel] = radarmotion(sweeptime);
    [tgt_pos,tgt_vel] = carmotion(sweeptime);
    % Transmit FMCW waveform

    sig = waveform();
    txsig = transmitter(sig);
    % Propagate the signal and reflect off the target

    txsig = txchannel(txsig,radar_pos,tgt_pos,radar_vel,tgt_vel);               % propagate the signal

    rxsig = cartarget(txsig);
    rxsig = rxchannel(rxsig,radar_pos,tgt_pos,radar_vel,tgt_vel);               % propagate the signal
    
    % Dechirp the received radar return

    rxsig = receiver(rxsig);
    xd = dechirp(rxsig,sig);
    xr_unmixed(:,m) = rxsig;
    xr(:,m) = xd;    
end
In % Propagate the signal and reflect off the target, it used two channels for RX and TX respectively
I noticed that if I set a ULA, I don't have to use a reciver channel after collector. Is that right?
    for m = 1:Nsweep
        % Update radar and target positions
        [radar_pos,radar_vel] = radarmotion(waveform.SweepTime);
        [tgt_pos,tgt_vel] = carmotion(waveform.SweepTime);
        % Transmit FMCW waveform
        sig = waveform();
        txsig = transmitter(sig);
        % Radiate the pulse toward the target
        txsig = radiator(txsig,tgtang);
        % Propagate the signal and reflect off the target
        txsig = channel(txsig,radar_pos,tgt_pos,radar_vel,tgt_vel);
        rxsig = cartarget(txsig);
    %   txsig = channel(txsig,tgt_pos,radar_pos,tgt_vel,radar_vel);
        % Collect the echo from the incident angle at the antenna
        rxsig = collector(rxsig,tgtang);
        % Dechirp the received radar return
        rxsig = receiver(rxsig);
        dechirpsig = dechirp(rxsig,sig);
        xr(:,:,m) = dechirpsig;
    end

Best Answer

The receiver also models the thermal noise in the receiver. If you need to include that effect, then you should not skip the receiver.
HTH
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