Passive millimeter wave imaging considerations for tactical aircraft

Air Force, Army, Navy, and NASA Research Laboratories, in addition to major aerospace companies, are considering millimeter wave (MMW) imaging technology as an enhancement to sensor suits on both occupied and unoccupied vehicles. This is a review of the basic technology involved in MMW imaging and some of the programs and products that might benefit from passive day or night imaging through mist, haze, fog, clouds, smoke and/or dust. Potential applications include UAV surveillance of ground vehicles, airborne approach to airfields, tankers, flight leaders, and detection of airborne targets, including stealth aircraft.     

不断发展的毫米波对抗技术

介绍了毫米波（MMW）技术在电子对抗中的应用，指出了毫米波技术的优势，分析了毫米波技术固有的抗干扰特点，叙述毫米波技术在应用中存在的问题和今后需采取的措施以及发展方向。     

A track filter for reentry objects with uncertain drag

A filter was developed for maintaining track on ballistic missiles whose drag profiles are unknown or deviate significantly from prior predictions. The filter employs an innovative form of a seven-state Kalman filter in which object drag is included as a state to be estimated. Using measurements of range, azimuth, and elevation, the filter can track endo- and exo-atmospheric targets on a wide variety of trajectories without requiring a priori tuning to account for variations in reentry angle, drag history, measurement signal-to-noise ratio, etc. The filter was designed to be implemented at the millimeter wave (MMW) radar (a high-range-resolution, narrow beamwidth, Ka-band radar) located at Kwajalein Missile Range (KMR) in the Marshall Islands. Extensive testing and comparisons using a high fidelity simulation showed the new filter to be robust to a wide variety of trajectories and substantially better than track filters presently used at KMR. The filter was coded to run efficiently in real time, installed at the MMW radar, and successfully used to track an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with varying drag characteristics through exo-atmospheric and reentry phases. The filter yielded a more accurate and responsive track than possible with the previously used filter on a similar trajectory     

Neural network learning of low-probability events

In the problem of stationary target identification (STI) via millimeter wave (MMW) seeker radars in heavy clutter environments, it is often necessary to use nonparametric identification procedures, as detailed parametric models of clutter and target returns are generally unavailable. Neural networks provide an attractive approach to perform nonparametric identification. However, when identifying low-probability events, the computational overhead associated with training a neural network can become excessive. This is because low-probability events must be adequately represented in the training sample. We present a modified backpropagation training algorithm based on a likelihood ratio weighting function (LRWF) to train the neural network using a much smaller training set than that required using the standard backpropagation algorithm This algorithm is closely related to the importance sampling technique used in digital communication systems to obtain probability of error estimates by using a much smaller number of simulation runs than what is required with standard Monte Carlo simulation. The modified backpropagation technique results in a significant reduction in computational overhead in training the network, resulting from a substantial reduction in the size of the training set required to achieve a given level of performance. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm on simulated data for the STI problem in MMW radar     

基于单星测轨进行LEO和GEO目标编目

针对既有天基探测的不足,本着降低卫星制造难度、使用复杂度,拓展监视对象的原则,针对编目测轨所需,论证设计了一个采用零倾角、9 000km高度轨道,装有7个可见光探测器,以空域监视方式支持空间目标编目测轨的构想。该构想只需1颗卫星,即可形成空间目标编目所需的测轨,独立支持LEO（低地球轨道）和GEO（地球同步轨道）目标的编目管理,具有战略、战术双重价值。     

武装直升机隐身性能验证试验综合飞行科目和方法设置探讨

对于武装型直升机，在设计上通常都会兼顾考虑其隐身性，如选择雷达隐身、红外隐身、激光隐身、可见光隐身或集多种隐身功能于一身。为了验证直升机的隐身性能，就雷达隐身、红外隐身、激光隐身、可见光隐身在试验时所设置的飞行科目和方法作几点阐述，供飞行试验技术人员和飞行人员参考，为改进设计和使用提供依据。     

姿控发动机羽流的可见光/近红外特性

为了研究发动机羽流辐射特性对光学探测成像的影响,基于不同直径粒子散射理论、辐射传递方程和分子吸收线数据库,应用有限体积法,建立了火箭发动机羽流在不同波段的辐射特性计算程序.针对实际工作情况进行建模,开展某姿控发动机工作在环月球轨道时的可见及近红外波段羽流的辐射特性计算.在0.4~0.9μm波长范围内,针对羽流气体组分、波长、观察天顶角以及太阳辐射对羽流光谱的影响作了数值计算及分析.研究结果表明:应用有限体积法开发的程序较好地模拟火箭发动机羽流的辐射特性,并具有广泛适用性;在可见光和近红外波段,太阳辐射作用对火箭发动机喷流辐射特性影响最大.      

Millimeter wave radar with clutter measurements

A portable millimeter wave test radar system, also suitable for battery operation, gives interesting possibilities for clutter recordings at hard-to-reach sites. The designed system covers all common radar frequencies from the Ka- to V-bands and enables spatial detection of targets or clutter elements within an adjustable time gate, whereby spatial clutter profiles of rain can be analyzed. The construction allows full operation with non-scanning antennas as well. This is advantageous when measuring temporal RCS variations of selected targets or surface clutter from snow dunes.     

Summary of recent Australian radar developments

Over the last 30 years there has been a growing Australian capability in very long-range radar systems, especially over the horizon radar (OTHR) and a related technology, surface wave radar (SWR). Both operate in the high frequency (HF) band between 3 and 30 MegaHertz (MHz), which are wavelengths between 100 and 10 metres, respectively. Based on current evidence, it appears that Australia may have found the tools with which to conduct efficient long-range surface and air surveillance more effectively than by the single use of traditional surveillance forces. Given increasing success and refinement of these technologies, one can see that the SWR systems in particular could, in addition, satisfy a number of potential export requirements and earn useful export credits.     

Sensor fusion for intelligent alarm analysis

The purpose of an intelligent alarm analysis system is to provide complete and manageable information to a central alarm station operator by applying alarm processing and fusion techniques to sensor information. This paper discusses the sensor fusion approach taken to perform intelligent alarm analysis for the Advanced Exterior Sensor (AES). The AES is an intrusion detection and assessment system designed for wide-area coverage, quick deployment, low false/nuisance alarm operation, and immediate visual assessment. It combines three sensor technologies (visible, infrared, and millimeter wave radar) collocated on a compact and portable remote sensor module. The remote sensor module rotates at a rate of 1 revolution per second to detect and track motion and provide assessment in a continuous 360° field-of-regard. Sensor fusion techniques are used to correlate and integrate the track data from these three sensors into a single track for operator observation. Additional inputs to the fusion process include environmental data, knowledge of sensor performance under certain weather conditions, sensor priority, and recent operator feedback. A confidence value is assigned to the track as a result of the fusion process. This helps to reduce nuisance alarms and to increase operator confidence in the system while reducing the workload of the operator     

A passive millimeter wave camera for aircraft landing in lowvisibility conditions

Fog and low visibility conditions have hampered aviation since its inception. Fog-related accidents are numerous, and canceled take-offs and landings due to fog and low visibility conditions (Cat III) have significant economic impact on airlines, parcel carriers and general aviation. Millimeter waves have good propagation properties in weather and give adequate spatial resolution when used to image the forward scene. Passive millimeter wave focal plane array cameras are new sensors which, integrated into future guidance and landing systems, promise to be an effective aid, or alternative, to existing technology for aircraft landings and take-offs under Cat III conditions. They can produce visual-like radiometric images at real time frame rates (up to 30 Hz), and are directly amenable to image fusion with infrared and visible images. TRW has been actively involved in developing and productizing this technology both at the hardware and the system levels     

Target detection trials with a millimeter wave radar system

Unobstructed, large RCS targets, similar radar targets surrounded by moving foliage, and small targets in severe clutter have been used as test cases for two pre-processing algorithms and several threshold levels in an experimental millimeter wave radar system. The rather conventional "six-out-of-eight" pulse radar selection method with binary output has been compared to an algorithm that accepts a target if the pre-defined trigger level is crossed by the average of the eight consecutive pulses. In this case, however, the output is an analog value corresponding to the relative average video amplitude. In terms of plotted video, this process seems to give a slightly better combination of false alarm rate and detection probability. Large targets are easier to detect from foliage clutter with the conventional method.     

The present and the future of random signal radars

The 30+ year development of random signal radar (RSR) is described in this paper. Conventional methods of implementing RSRs are summarized: correlation, spectrum analysis, and anti-correlation. Some typical RSR systems are introduced; for example: noise frequency modulation continuous wave radar; and random binary phase-coded continuous wave radar, and their merits and demerits are also pointed out. Finally, the development trends of RSR is analyzed     

Sustained data recording system based on disk array

Most sustained data recording systems in many real-time fields are based on tape equipments. We have developed an innovative sustained data recording system based on disk array which consists of Array Controller Module (ACM), String Controller Module (SCM) and Main Controller Module (MCM). This system has a better performance and higher reliability than the traditional tape recorder and can be used conveniently in many areas of data recording, storing, playback, and remote backup. This novel recording system has been used in radar data recorder for spacecraft orbit tracking and satellite remote sensing data recording successfully.     

TALONS 95 GHz radar sensor for autonomous landing guidance

Ground tests of the TALONS (tactical avionics for low-level navigation and strike) 95-GHz radar sensor are reported. Radar backscatter data were taken for a runway/taxiway system at realistic depression angles in various weather conditions to determine the effects of precipitation and fog. The data were analyzed and utilized to produce radar imagery. Radar cross-sections of several tactical targets were also measured. It was found that the conditions encountered during the test program were virtually transparent to 95-GHz energy at the detection ranges required for landing guidance     

IR circuit board and IC failure detection

This paper describes research and development efforts in the use of infrared (IR) laser beams for detecting failures in integrated circuits resident on printed circuit boards. This work involves taking advantage of the transparency of the silicon substrate of ICs to radiation in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum to devise a non-invasive method for imaging the component circuitry of the IC. The implication is that a means to see into the physical structure of an integrated circuit can be created by using lasers tuned to these wavelengths. While the silicon substrate is transparent to the laser, the circuit paths and devices embedded within the substrate are readily visible since their metallic composition is opaque to laser energy at this wavelength. A laser test fixture consisting of a 1064 nm continuous wave laser, CCD camera, and image acquisition board is used to generate images from flip-chip integrated circuits. Multiresolution image processing techniques are then applied to the resulting images to identify potential defects.     

Polish radar technology

Polish radar research and development since 1953 is reviewed, covering the development and production of surveillance radars, height finders, tracking radars, air traffic control (ATC) radars and systems, and marine and Doppler radars. Some current work, including an L-band ATC radar for enroute control, a weather channel for primary surveillance radar, signal detection in non-Gaussian clutter, adaptive MTI filters and postdetection filtering, and a basic approach to radar polarimetry, is examined.<>     

毫米波无人直升机避障雷达系统研究

由电力线所引起的无人直升机事故频频发生,因而确保无人机飞行安全一个很重要的方面就是对电力线的检测。文章采用毫米波宽带线性调频技术实现了对高压线小目标的探测分辨,研制了毫米波无人直升机避障雷达系统,解决了无人机低空巡线飞行的安全问题。通过实际挂飞试验说明,该系统可靠有效,满足装备要求。     

CWLFM Radar for Ship Detection and Identification

Continuous wave lineal frequency modulated (CWLFM) radar presents some interesting advantages for coast surveillance and control as well as low probability of interception (LPI). This paper presents real results obtained with a radar prototype and processed with ISAR techniques. Also, results of an automatic ship identification system applied to simulated ISAR images are exposed. Moreover, radar behavior with unfavorable meteorological conditions is discussed     

Analysis and results of the 1995 Yuma ground penetration SARmeasurements

In July and October 1995, a large-scale airborne SAR experiment was conducted in the Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, Arizona, to investigate ground penetration radar phenomenology and buried target detection. This paper describes the Yuma experiment and measurement results for many tactical, utility, and environmental targets deployed in the test