Monopulse radar based on spatiotemporal correlation of stochastic signals

The theory and technique of angle-of-arrival (AOA) estimation using random-noise or other stochastic transmit waveforms is addressed. The additional uncertainties induced by signal itself and the statistical complexity of the received signals result in major challenges. The statistical properties of the random-noise interferometer and monopulse radar system are studied and compared theoretically using an approximation method. Furthermore, a random-noise coherent correlation receiver (CCR) architecture is proposed. The concept of mean monopulse characteristic curve (MMCC) is introduced. Experimental results using an X-band random-noise monopulse radar system validate the theoretical predictions of random-noise monopulse characteristics and suggest potential applications such as surveillance, imaging, and maneuvering target tracking.     

Multipath and ground clutter analysis for a UWB noise radar

An ultrawideband (UWB) random-noise radar operating in the 1-2 GHz frequency band has been developed and field-tested up to a 200 m range at the Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory (ERSL) of the University of Nebraska. A unique heterodyne correlation technique based on a delayed transmitted waveform using a photonic delay line has been used to inject coherence within this system. The performance of this radar in the presence of ground reflections is investigated analytically and experimentally, and the mitigating effects of UWB waveform on multipath-induced interference are analyzed. In addition, the ground clutter statistics, in a look-down mode, are theoretically established and experimentally verified. The performance of this radar in detecting clutter embedded targets with small radar cross section (RCS) is also experimentally examined.     

Receiver operating characteristics for the coherent UWB randomnoise radar

An ultrawideband (UWB) random-noise radar operating in the 1-2 GHz frequency band has been developed and held-tested at a 200 m range at the University of Nebraska. A unique heterodyne correlation technique based on a delayed transmitted waveform using a photonic delay line has been used to inject coherence within this system. The performance of this radar, assuming a point target, has been investigated from a statistical point of view by developing the theoretical basis for the system's receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Explicit analytical expressions for the joint probability density function (pdf) of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the receiver output have been derived under the assumption that the input signals are partially correlated Gaussian processes. The pdf and the complementary cumulative distribution function (cdf) for the envelope of the receiver output are also derived. These expressions are used to relate the probability of detection (P_d) to the probability of false alarm (P_f ) for different numbers of integrated samples, and the results are analyzed     

针对雷达LPI波形验证的目标RCS估算

根据某型雷达低截获概率波形设计的需要,分析了雷达探测目标的高频散射机理,并运用物理光学法、等效电磁流法计算了约定目标在不同姿态下和不同电磁波频率照射下的RCS值,从而为验证雷达波形在能探测到目标情况下的LPI性能提供了支撑。实验结果表明,基于电磁场理论的目标RCS估算方法是研究雷达LPI波形的一种有效工具,方法也适合于其他领域RCS估算的需要。     

ADS-B用于高精度雷达标定的方法

为了更好地解决高精度雷达标定的问题,提出了基于广播式自动相关监视系统(ADS-B)固定误差及目标回波中心动态修正的雷达标定新方法。首先分析了ADS-B位置数据误差的来源、类型及在雷达坐标系下的特征,同时对民航目标回波中心的变化作了分析建模,在此基础上进一步通过对雷达数据与ADS-B数据之差作动态联合修正,最终估算出雷达系统误差,提高了雷达系统误差标定的精度和稳定性。并利用多批次的实测数据对该标定新方法与其他方法进行了对比验证,结果表明,该方法有效提高了标定的精度和稳定性,并已成功应用于雷达标定设备中。     

Streamlining measurement iteration for EKF target tracking

The estimation problem is defined, and a review of how the linear estimation approach of Kalman filtering is extrapolated to form an extended Kalman filter (EKF), applicable for state estimation in nonlinear systems is presented. A mechanization of an EKF variation known as an iterated EKF, offering improved tracking performance, is treated. A streamlined version of an iterated EKF that has a lesser computational burden (fewer operations per cycle or time step) than prior formulations is offered. A nonlinear filtering application example, to be used as a testbed for this new approach, is described, and the detailed modeling considerations as needed for exoatmospheric random-variable radar target tracking are discussed. The performance of the streamlined mechanization is illustrated in this radar target tracking example, and comparisons are made with the performance of an EKF without measurement iteration     

Target Detection and Parameter Estimation for MIMO Radar Systems

We investigate several target detection and parameter estimation techniques for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system. By transmitting independent waveforms via different antennas, the echoes due to targets at different locations are linearly independent of each other, which allows the direct application of many data-dependent beamforming techniques to achieve high resolution and excellent interference rejection capability. In the absence of array steering vector errors, we discuss the application of several existing data-dependent beamforming algorithms including Capon, APES (amplitude and phase estimation) and CAPES (combined Capon and APES), and then propose an alternative estimation procedure, referred to as the combined Capon and approximate maximum likelihood (CAML) method. Via several numerical examples, we show that the proposed CAML method can provide excellent estimation accuracy of both target locations and target amplitudes. In the presence of array steering vector errors, we apply the robust Capon beamformer (RCB) and doubly constrained robust Capon beamformer (DCRCB) approaches to the MIMO radar system to achieve accurate parameter estimation and superior interference and jamming suppression performance.     

Design and analysis of a knowledge-aided radar detector for doppler processing

In this paper we discuss the combined use of a priori information and adaptive signal processing techniques for the design and the analysis of a knowledge-aided (KA) radar receiver for Doppler processing. To this end, resorting to the generalized likelihood function (GLF) criterion (both one-step and two-step), we design and assess data-adaptive procedures for the selection of training data. Then we introduce a KA radar detector composed of three elements: a geographic-map-based data selector, which exploits some a priori information concerning the topography of the observed scene, a data-adaptive training selector which removes dynamic outliers from the training data, and an adaptive radar detector which performs the final decision about the target presence. The performance of the KA algorithm is analyzed both on simulated as well as on real radar data collected by the McMaster University IPIX radar. The results show that the new KA system achieves a satisfactory performance level and can outperform some previously proposed adaptive detection schemes     

2D雷达组网中目标高度估计误差的Cramér-Rao限

 在由2坐标雷达组成的雷达网中,推导了目标高度估计误差的CRLB(Cram&;#225;r-Rao限),并通过不同条件下的数值计算得到了一些结论。结果表明,目标高度估计误差的CRLB既与雷达的测角误差有关,也与目标和2个雷达站形成的夹角有关系,雷达配置在不同的高度上有利于目标高度估计的收敛性。这些结论对于2坐标雷达组网以及雷达网中的传感器管理具有指导意义。     

基于滤波器结构的压缩感知雷达感知矩阵优化

 压缩感知雷达的目标场景恢复性能要求不同目标的反射回波在压缩空间上的互相关性尽可能小。基于该思想,提出了压缩感知雷达感知矩阵优化模型,根据系统参数和任务信息,以降低感知矩阵互相关性为目标,自适应地构造发射波形和测量矩阵,提升系统性能。分别给出了基于滤波器结构的压缩感知雷达发射波形优化、测量矩阵优化以及波形-测量矩阵联合优化算法。仿真结果表明:本文提出的压缩感知雷达感知矩阵优化模型和算法能够有效地提高场景恢复精度。     

Moving target localization in distributed MIMO radar with transmitter and receiver location uncertainties

In this paper, the problem of moving target localization from Bistatic Range(BR) and Bistatic Range Rate(BRR) measurements in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output(MIMO) radar system having widely separated antennas is investigated. We consider a practically motivated scenario,where the accurate knowledge of transmitter and receiver locations is not known and only the nominal values are available for processing. With the transmitter and receiver location uncertainties,which are usually neglected in MIMO radar systems by prior studies, taken into account in the measurement model, we develop a novel algebraic solution to reduce the estimation error for moving target localization. The proposed algorithm is based on the pseudolinear set of equations and two-step weighted least squares estimation. The Cramer-Rao Lower Bound(CRLB) is derived in the presence of transmitter and receiver location uncertainties. Theoretical accuracy analysis demonstrates that the proposed solution attains the CRLB, and numerical examples show that the proposed solution achieves significant performance improvement over the existing algorithms.     

基于OTR和SHT的射频隐身雷达信号设计

为了提高雷达的射频(RF)隐身性能,结合最优匹配照射-接收机(OTR)理论与序贯假设检验(SHT)方法,提出了一种新的射频隐身雷达信号设计方法。通过发射信号了解外界环境信息,然后反馈这些信息给雷达系统,系统根据这些信息自适应设计雷达发射信号,形成一个闭环系统。以雷达目标识别为具体应用,实验仿真表明,设计的雷达信号自适应变化,减小了信号间的相关性,并且减少了照射次数,降低了辐射功率,从而实现了雷达系统的射频隐身性能。     

Design of a practical tracking algorithm with radar measurements

The extended Kalman filter (EKF) has been widely used as a nonlinear filtering method for radar tracking problems. However, it has been found that if cross-range measurement errors of the target position are large, the performance of the conventional EKF degrades considerably due to nonnegligible nonlinear effects. A new filtering algorithm for improving the tracking performance with radar measurements is developed based on the fact that correct evaluation of the measurement error covariance is possible in the Cartesian coordinate system. The proposed algorithm may be viewed as a modification of the EKF in which the variance of the range measurement errors is evaluated in an adaptive manner. The filter structure facilitates the incorporation of the sequential measurement processing scheme, and this makes the resulting algorithm favorable to both estimation accuracy and computational efficiency. Computer simulation results show that the proposed method offers superior performance in comparison to previous methods. Moreover, our developed algorithm provides some useful insight into the radar tracking problem     

CTD MTI Radar Filter with Charge-Transfer Inefficiency Compensation

The design and implementation of a second-order nonrecursive moving target indication (MTI) radar filter using commercially available charge-transfer devices as delay lines are described. A simple technique is included to compensate for the device charge-transfer in-efficiency and its sensitivity is analyzed. Experimental laboratory tests and results in an operating radar system are reported showing the good performance of the realized MTI radar filter.     

Maneuvering Target Tracking Using Adaptive State Estimation

Two approaches to a nonlinear state estimation problem are presented. The particular problem addressed is that of tracking a maneuvering target in three-dimensional space using spherical observations (radar data). Both approaches rely on semi-Markov modeling of target maneuvers and result in effective algorithms that prevent the loss of track that often occurs when a target makes a sudden, radical change in its trajectory. Both techniques are compared using real and simulated radar measurements with emphasis on performance and computational burden.     

Adapitive waveform design for distributed OFDM MIMO radar system in multi-target scenario

In order to improve detection and estimation performance of distributed Orthogonal-Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar system in multi-target scene, we propose a novel approach of Adaptive Waveform Design (AWD) based on a constrained Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO). The sparse measurement model of this radar system is derived, and the method based on decomposed Dantzig selectors is applied for the sparse recovery according to the block structures of the sparse vector and the system matrix. An AWD approach is proposed, which optimizes two objective functions, namely minimizing the upper bound of the recovery error and maximizing the weakest-target return, by adjusting the complex weights of the emitting waveform amplitudes. Several numerical simulations are provided and their results show that the detection and estimation performance of the radar system is improved significantly when this MOO-based AWD approach is applied to the distributed OFDM MIMO radar system. Especially, we verify the effectiveness of our AWD approach when the available samples are reduced severally and the technique of compressed sensing is introduced.     

A New Method for Analyzing Integrated Stealth Ability of Penetration Aircraft

Taking into account the limitations of existing stealth performance analysis methods, a method termed as the integrated stealth performance analysis method is proposed for evaluating the stealth ability of the penetration aircraft. Based on various target radar cross section (RCS) scattering characters, this article integrates the relevant parameters needed for building up target circumferential RCS scattering model and proposes the RCS scattering controlling parameters to control the changing trends of the relevant model RCS scattering characters. According to the radar dynamic detecting characters during the whole penetration course, a dynamic stealth performance evaluating model is proposed accompanied by a series of stealth ability estimation rules. This new analysis method can enhance the integrality and dependability of the stealth analysis conclusions and summarize the relationship between the target RCS scattering characters and their effects on stealth performance. The rules indicated by this relationship can be used as the reference for designing new type of stealth aircraft and setting up specific penetration tactics.     

联翼布局传感器飞机多目标优化设计

针对联翼布局传感器飞机的任务需求特点,建立了专用于该类无人机的能够综合考虑气动、结构和雷达性能的多目标优化设计模型。利用改进的类函数/形函数参数化方法完成整机外形进行参数化,利用风洞试验进行了气动分析模型的验证,基于工程梁理论搭建了联翼布局结构重量估算模型。在雷达距离方程的基础上,建立了机翼内部雷达天线性能估算的数学模型。利用该模型,能够在优化过程中考虑到内置机载预警天线安装位置和性能评估对翼型选择、结构重量和气动特性的影响,最终得到全局最优设计。对某方案的优化结果表明,相较于优化前,多目标优化结果能够明显提升整机升阻比和前后视雷达探测范围,同时减轻结构重量。优化结果和敏感性分析表明了该多目标优化模型的可行性和必要性。     

HF OTHR target detection and estimation subsystem

This paper describes the principle of the target detection and estimation with a high frequency ground wave over-the-horizon radar, introduces the structure and the implementation of the detection and estimation subsystem that can process signals in parallel. The accomplished experimental results demonstrate that this system can successfully detect and estimate the over-the-horizon ship and aircraft     

基于傅里叶变换的航迹对准关联算法

研究了在组网雷达存在系统误差情况下的目标航迹关联问题,理论分析了雷达系统误差对目标航迹的影响,并将该影响表示为目标航迹的旋转和平移量。在此基础上,提出了一种基于傅里叶变换的系统误差配准前航迹对准关联算法,该算法将组网雷达的航迹数据看做为一种整体信息,采用傅里叶变换理论来估计和补偿组网雷达目标航迹数据到融合中心航迹数据的相对旋转量和平移量,将雷达网中雷达上报的目标航迹数据对准到融合中心,从而不依赖于估计雷达网系统误差,实现了误差配准前的航迹准确关联,能够为后端的系统误差配准提供可靠的关联目标航迹数据。