Processing of a fractalet radio detection and ranging (RADAR) signal is described. A reference fractalet waveform is received. The fractalet waveform includes self-similar waveforms having lower frequency bands and frequency bands. A reflected fractalet waveform received via one or more antennae is decoded. A waveform profile of chirplet transforms of signals in the lower frequency bands within the reflected fractalet waveform are compared to the reference fractalet waveform. Time spans corresponding to the subset of lower frequency bands are determined. Signals from the higher frequency bands are extracted from the reflected fractalet waveform. Chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands are determined for the determined time spans. Spatial frequency components along azimuth direction and elevation directions are calculated for targets based on the chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands.