Comparison between monostatic and bistatic antenna configurationsfor STAP

The unique characteristics of bistatic radar operation on the performance of airborne/spaceborne moving target indicator (MTI) radars that use space-time adaptive processing (STAP) are discussed. It has been shown that monostatic STAP radar has the following properties. 1) For a horizontal flight path and a planar Earth the curves of constant clutter Doppler (isodops) are hyperbolas. 2) For a sidelooking antenna geometry the clutter Doppler is range independent. 3) Clutter trajectories in the cosφ-F plane (F=normalized Doppler) are in general ellipses (or straight lines for a sidelooking array). We demonstrate that these well-known properties are distorted by the displacement between transmitter and receiver in a bistatic configuration. It is shown that even for the sidelooking array geometry the clutter Doppler is range-dependent which requires adaptation of the STAP processor for each individual range gate. Conclusions for the design of STAP processors are drawn     

一种基于角度-多普勒补偿的均匀圆形天线机载雷达杂波抑制方法

采用均匀圆形相控阵天线的机载雷达杂波分布随距离变化而变化,各距离单元的杂波不再满足独立同分布的条件,造成统计型空时自适应处理(STAP)器性能下降。基于此,本文建立了均匀圆形天线机载雷达模型,对其杂波分布进行了分析,得出了空间角随阵元数非线性变化的特性造成其杂波距离维分布非均匀的结论。研究了一种均匀圆形天线机载雷达杂波抑制方法,该方法先通过修正的角度 多普勒补偿(MADC)预处理消除在杂波谱中心处的非均匀,再利用基于导数更新(DBU)技术进一步减小在其他方位杂波的非均匀程度。仿真结果表明了该方法的有效性。     

Sparse frequency transmit-and-receive waveform design

A computationally efficient algorithm derives complex digital transmit and receive ultra-wideband radar and communication waveforms with excellent arbitrary frequency band suppression and range sidelobe minimization. The transmit waveform minimizes a scalar function penalizing weighted spectral energy in arbitrary frequency bands. Near constant power results from another penalty function for deviations from constant power, or constant power is enforced by a phase-only formulation. Next, a least squares solution for the receive waveform minimizes a weighted sum of suppressed band spectral energy and range sidelobes (for pulse and continuous wave operation), with a mainlobe response constraint. Both waveforms are calculated by iterative algorithms whose updates require only linear order in memory and computation, permitting quick calculation of long pulses with thousands of samples.     

Electronic Search Beam Stabilization

Compensating for ship's motion (roll and pitch) is a problem fundamental to shipboard radars. The more traditional aproach has been to mechanically stabilize the antenna structure. The alternative approach of stabilizing only the antenna beam is far from being new conceptually, but is more realizable with today's technology. The basic elements are a planar array with an elevation scan capability that rotates continuously in azimuth combined with a high speed digital processor. Electronic stabilization of such an antenna is inherently more challenging than that of a two-axis phase-scanned array. An algorithm is derived for surveillance beam positioning as the antenna rotates. The implementation of this algorithm provides hemispheric search beam stabilization.     

An Experimental Radar Facility

A coherent CW superheterodyne radar system operating at frequencies of 9, 17, 35, and 70 GHz is described. The radars are installed on a free-flight range to study backscattering from wakes of hypersonic-velocity projectiles. Each radar is equipped with a focused-lens antenna oriented at an angle of approximately 45° to the flight axis. Amplitude and phase of the received signal are recorded separately. Some typical results are given to demonstrate the capabilities of the equipment.     

CCRS C/X-airborne synthetic aperture radar: An Rand D tool for the ERS-1 time frame

The airborne synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) system developed for the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) is described. It consists of two radars, at C-band and X-band. Each radar incorporates the following features: dual-channel receivers and dual-polarized antennas; a high quality, 7-look, real-time processor; a sensitivity time control for range-dependent gain control; a motion-compensation system for antenna steering in azimuth and elevation; and baseband I and Q signal phase rotation. The system also uses a high-power transmitter with a low-power back-up. The SAR maps to either side of the aircraft, at high or low resolution, at incidence angles which in high resolution span 0° to 80°. Radar operating parameters, data products, key specifications and the motion compensation scheme used are presented. Properties of the real-time imagery are discussed and examples of C-band SAR data in the three operating modes are given     

Medium PRF Performance Analysis

A discussion of various types of x-band airborne radars is presented together with their systematic development through the years to the present time. Starting with simple, low pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) radars for measuring radar-target range, airborne radar development proceeded with more sophisticated high PRF Doppler radars where radar-target range and range rate were measured simultaneously. The use of Doppler (frequency) in signal processing allowed the separation of moving from nonmoving targets (ground), enabling the detection of moving targets in the presence of ground clutter. More recent developments in waveform generation and selection has resulted in the development of medium PRF radars, whereby a greater degree of tactical flexibility in target detection is achieved by combining the desirable features of both low and high PRF radars. Part of the available literature gives an overview, together with a specific example of the design and performance of an airborne medium PRF radar. Here, however, the systematic evolution of these radars is emphasized and the necessary theoretical background is developed for their performance calculations. Modern day airborne radars may be equipped with all three modes of operation, low, medium, and high PRF, allowing the operator to utilize the mode best suited for the tactical encounter. Low PRF and high PRF radars have been described elsewhere and are given here primarily for the sake of completeness and for the necessary background for developing medium PRF radar equations. They are also needed for developing the reasons why medium PRF radars came into being.     

The Segmented Aperture Synthetic Aperture Radar (SASAR)

A new concept in synthetic aperture radar, called SASAR, which uses a segmented aperture, is described. Use of the segmented aperture allows appreciable extra receiving antenna gain to be realized. Each subarray of the receive antenna is equal in length to the transmit antenna; the system performance is increased approximately by a factor equal to the number of subarrays. To allow array combination of the subarray signal outputs requires a phase-shift factor (varying with azimuth) to be applied to each subarray signal. A digital implementation of this preprocessor is sketched out; it uses a push-down storage stack to store the range histories for a synthetic aperture from each subarray. Appropriate phase shifts are added to the stacks and a sum of stack values then provides the combined output range history sequence. Possibilities of using analog delay lines for preprocessing are also discussed. Pattern errors due to subarray size and receive array near field are examined and constraints are given.     

反辐射武器采用幅度检测抗诱饵技术探讨

针对反辐射武器面临的有源诱偏威胁,分析诱饵系统与主雷达在空间布局上的特点,提出转动PRS（被动雷达导引头）接收天线,然后根据信号幅度变化信息将各辐射源区分开的新方法。以抗3点源诱偏为例,从幅度分辨能力、平台运动和雷达天线波束扫描对幅度检测的影响等方面分析说明方法的可行性,并通过试验验证了,PRS可通过提高幅度分辨能力来提高角度分辨抗诱偏能力,同时说明了其在时域分辨、门限检测、天线伺服控制等方面需满足的条件。     

基于VLBI的上行组阵标校技术研究

天线组阵能否完全替代大口径天线有一个关键性难题,就是天线阵是否支持上行链路组阵。深空航天器无法将不同地面天线的上行信号对齐,所以上行链路信号的调整必须在地面完成。针对上行组阵发射机相位调整问题,提出一种基于VLBI(Very Long Baseline Interferometry,甚长基线干涉测量)技术的接收模式天线上行组阵标校方案,并对标校精度进行了简要分析。将上行链路时延分解为几何时延和发射系统时延,建立了几何时延模型,通过标定接收时延和发射时延,便可以得到天线阵元间的相位标校值。理论分析结果表明,该方案具有一定的可行性,对上行组阵相位标校的研究具有一定的借鉴意义。     

New correlated MIMO radar covariance matrix design with low side lobe levels and much lower complexity

In this paper, a new correlated covariance matrix for Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) radar is proposed, which has lower SideLobe Levels (SLLs) compared to the new covariance matrix designs and the well-known multi-antenna radar designs including phased-array, MIMO radar and phased-MIMO radar schemes. It is shown that Binary Phased-Shift Keying (BPSK) waveforms that have constant envelope can be used in a closed-form to realize the proposed covariance matrix. Therefore, there is no need to deploy different types of radio amplifiers in the transmitter which will reduce the cost, considerably. The proposed design allows the same transmit power from each antenna in contrast to the phased-MIMO radar. Moreover, the proposed covariance matrix is full-rank and has the same capability as MIMO radar to identify more targets, simultaneously. Performance of the proposed transmit covariance matrix including receive beampattern and output Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) is simulated, which validates analytical results.     

Transmit Beamforming for MIMO Radar Systems using Signal Cross-Correlation

Proposed next-generation radar systems will have multiple transmit apertures with complete flexibility in the choice of the signals transmitted at each aperture. Here we propose the use of multiple signals with arbitrary cross-correlation matrix R, and show that R can be chosen to achieve or approximate a desired spatial transmit beampattern. Two specific problems are addressed. The first is the constrained optimization problem of finding the value of R which causes the true transmit beampattern to be close in some sense to a desired beampattern. This is approached using convex optimization techniques. The second is the problem of designing multiple constant-modulus waveforms with given cross-correlation R. The use of coded binary phase shift keyed (BPSK) waveforms is considered. A method for finding the code sequences based on random signaling with a structured correlation matrix is proposed. It is also shown that by restricting the class of admissible waveforms one reduces the set of possible signal correlation matrices.     

相控阵雷达搜索方式下波位编排与优化

分析不同波位编排方式对相控阵雷达能量需求与搜索性能的影响,给出了搜索方式下较为优化的波位编排方式。然后在分析相控阵雷达波束展宽效应的基础上,提出了非均匀划分扫描空域并对波束展宽效应进行补偿的方法,对波位编排方式进一步优化。最后利用该方法仿真分析了波束宽度与天线增益的变化,结果表明可有效补偿波束展宽效应带来的影响。     

Adaptive Clutter Suppression in Step Scan Radars

Clutter echoes with unknown power spectra (from weather, sea, chaff disturbances) can be suppressed only adaptively. The use of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) for clutter suppression in step scan radars is investigated by use of a clutter model that is derived in analogy to measured clutter data of a radar with a rotating antenna.     

Monopulse Estimation of the Centroid of an Ensemble of Radar Scatterers

The use of data obtained by a monopulse radar to estimate the location of the radar cross-section centroid of an ensemble of scatterers is discussed. Both dish and phased-array antenna radars are treated. Expressions for the bias and variance of the centroid estimates are presented, including the effects of the radar receiver and beam pattern characteristics, receiver noise, and the video waveform sampling granularity, as well as the target properties. The monopulse tracking approach discussed here is contrasted with a raster scan approach presented previously.     

Low altitude target model for radar simulation

A simulation model of antenna array signals from a low altitude target is considered. Explicit expressions for statistical and spectral characteristics of the scattered signals are obtained in the Kirchhoff approximation. The model permits to evaluate the efficiency of different techniques of low altitude target tracking. It benefits the comprehension of the influence of multipath propagation on tracking radars     

Sensitivity of MIMO STAP Radar with Waveform Diversity

Space-time adaptive processing (STAP) is an effective method adopted in airborne radar to suppress ground clutter. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar is a new radar concept and has superiority over conventional radars. Recent proposals have been applying STAP in MIMO configuration to the improvement of the performance of conventional radars. As waveforms transmitted by MIMO radar can be correlated or uncorrelated with each other, this article develops a unified signal model incorporating waveforms for STAP in MIMO radar with waveform diversity. Through this framework, STAP performances are expressed as functions of the waveform covariance matrix (WCM). Then, effects of waveforms can be investigated. The sensitivity, i.e., the maximum range detectable, is shown to be proportional to the maximum eigenvalue of WCM. Both theoretical studies and numerical simulation examples illustrate the waveform effects on the sensitivity of MIMO STAP radar, based on which we can make better trade-off between waveforms to achieve optimal system performance.     

Hard Limiting in Synthetic Aperture Signal Processing

In synthetic aperture radar a large linear phased array is formed from the rapid movement of a single element through each position in the array. Storage and coherent combining of the successive radar echoes are central to the array-forming process. Optical processing is the most common technique because of the efficiency with which Fourier transformation may be accomplished with simple optics. Real-time operation, however, requires all-electronic processing, which is difficult to accomplish because of the huge quantity of data to be manipulated. Dynamic range compression by hard limiting may ease the problem by reducing the number of bits per frame. The effects of hard limiting are analyzed in this paper. It is shown that large targets simultaneously illuminated by the radar antenna will produce image targets or ghosts displaced in angle. Statistically homogeneous clutter will "linearize" the hard-limited receiver and suppress the ghosts without loss in contrast, as does thermal noise if it is larger than the target echoes. Pulse compression reduces the probability of images from prominent targets. Judicious choice of the pulse-compression waveform is a powerful tool for destroying coherent buildup of images from all large targets not in the same range resolution cell. Linear FM, the most common choice, unfortunately does not exhibit this desirable property.     

Analysis of array errors and a short-time processor in airbornephased array radars

Array errors are inherent in a realistic phased array radar system. The influence of array errors on the clutter degrees of freedom and the clutter subspace in an airborne phased array radar is analyzed. Based on the presented theoretic results, a method of short-time processing followed by coherent integration is proposed for clutter suppression in airborne phased array radars. It can approximate the two-dimensional optimal processor well even in the presence of array errors, clutter fluctuations and aircraft drift, with a considerable saving in computations     

Harmonic Radar Systems for Near-Ground In-Foliage Nonlinear Scatterers

The radar transmission equation for a harmonic radar operating over a planar, finite dielectric Earth through foliage is derived for an interesting class of nonlinear scatterers. The received power can typically depend on range to the (-14) power for small objects near the ground. The maximum detection range of a ground-based system is related to all major system parameters: it is most sensitive to polarization, transmit antenna height, and transmit wavelength; moderately sensitive to transmit power and transmit antenna area; and least sensitive to receive antenna area, harmonic scattering cross section, and mode of data processing. For example, there is seen to be a best apportionment of total available aperture area into disjoint transmit and receive apertures which can be well approximated by the equal gain condition. Also, there is seen to be a critical path distance through foliage; at distances less than this, small wavelengths are desirable and, conversely, the upper transmit frequency limit may be set by nonlinear scatterer response. Airborne synthetic aperture radar systems are discussed and quantification of harmonic noise and effects of scatterer fluctuation are made. A useful phenomenological model of a nonlinear scatterer is given that is consistent with some observations and predicts a frequency dependence. Nonlinear scatterer effects on range resolution are discussed.