Maritime border control multisensor system

This focuses on the classification task performed into a multi-sensor system for the coastal surveillance. The system is composed of two platforms of sensors: a land-based platform equipped with a land based radar, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and an infrared camera (IR); an airborne platform carrying an airborne radar that can operate in a spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode, a video camera, and a second IR camera. The tasks performed by the system are the detection, tracking, identification, and classification of multiple targets, the evaluation of their threat level, and the selection of an intervention on them. The classification algorithm implemented inside the system exploits an analytical approach based on the confusion matrix (CM) of the imaging sensors that belong to the system. Some measures of effectiveness (MoE) of the system are evaluated, considering both cases where an ideal error-free classification process and a non-ideal classification process are performed.     

Maritime border control computer simulation

This work describes a computer simulator for an integrated Command and Control (C2) multi-sensor system acting in a maritime border control scenario. The analyzed system is composed of two platforms of multiple sensors: a land-based platform, equipped with a Vessel Traffic System (VTS) radar, an Infrared camera (IR), and an Automatic Identification System (AIS); an airborne platform, carrying an Airborne Early Warning Radar (AEWR) and an III camera. The mission of the system is the detection, tracking, and identification of multiple naval targets inside a sea region, their threat level evaluation, and the selection of an intervention against possible threat targets, in order to inspect their nature. The Measures of Effectiveness (MoE) of the integrated system are evaluated, i.e., the system performance during the detection, the threat evaluation process, and the intervention.     

Radioisotope powered AMTEC systems

Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) systems are being developed for high performance spacecraft power systems, including small, General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) powered systems. Several design concepts have been evaluated for the power range from 75 W to 1 kW. The specific power for these concepts has been found to be as high as 18-20 W/kg and 22 kW/m³. The projected area, including radiators, has been as low as 0.4 m²/kW. AMTEC power systems are extremely attractive, relative to other current and projected power systems, because AMTEC offers high power density, low projected area, and low volume. Two AMTEC cell design types have been identified. A single-tube cell is already under development and a multi-tube cell design, to provide additional power system gains, has undergone proof-of-principle testing. Solar powered AMTEC (SAMTEC) systems are also being developed, and numerous terrestrial applications have been identified for which the same basic AMTEC cells being developed for radioisotope systems are also suitable     

法拉第型磁流体发电机试验和数值仿真

针对未来航空航天任务对大功率空间电源的迫切需求，开展了国内首次高温惰性气体法拉第型磁流体发电机试验研究。试验采用电弧加热器作为模拟热源，以氩气作为工质，添加铯作为电离种子以提高工质电导率，成功实现了对法拉第型磁流体发电机的原理性验证，在1 T磁场环境的试验条件下取得了最高194 W的发电功率，功率密度为866 kW/m³。根据试验条件对发电过程进行了三维数值模拟，分析结果表明：发电机输出性能受电极压降和工质速度的影响较大，需要在后续研究中改进发电机工艺以降低电极压降，并对加速喷管重新进行设计。     

Electrical power on a 30 kW space-based radar satellite

An electrical power system for a space-based radar satellite is described. When the radar is on, its transmitter needs an average DC power of 30 kW. The problem of distributing the power efficiently in pulses to many transmit/receive modules is addressed. System requirements include a high-voltage battery and transmission line, load-sharing between the solar array, and the battery during sunlit periods, and a 25-kW solar array. A scaled-down version of the power system for a proof-of-concept demonstration is described     

STAP with medium PRF mode for non-side-looking airborne radar

Space-time adaptive processing (STAP) has been widely discussed for airborne radar systems to improve the system performance of detecting targets. This is especially true for airborne early warning (AEW) radar, which should find long-range and small radar cross section (RCS) targets such as the stealth aircraft and missiles. However, in existing airborne radar literature, STAP is mainly considered for clutter and jamming rejection in side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) applications. There have been fewer discussions on airborne radar with non-side-ways looking array radar (non-SLAR). The STAP of non-SLAR such as forward looking array radar is also very important and can not be avoided for airborne radar to detect targets in all directions. The STAP of the non-SLAR is studied here. A scheme has been proposed, which is processed by the way of STAP combined with multiple staggered medium pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs). We further study the selection of PRFs in order to make the scheme more available for non-SLAR radar. We analyze two typical non-SLAR cases, i.e., inclined-sideways looking array and forward looking array. We examine this scheme by comparing the performances of three processing systems under the criteria of range-velocity blind zone minimization. Computer simulation results show the multiple-PRFs STAP scheme is feasible for non-SLAR and can be applied to phased-array AEW radar systems     

Dominant scatterer identification testing with an integrated X-bandradar system

Radar return data from airborne jet aircraft were collected and analyzed to determine the presence of consistent, dominant radar returns of point scatterers on aircraft simulating landing conditions. These measurements were performed by integrating two separate X-band radars into one system with the ability to simultaneously track and image aircraft. Selected processed data from both radar systems were analyzed and are presented for the airborne jet aircraft     

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。     

基于传感器协同技术的雷达搜索空域研究

多传感器协同是当代先进战斗机的重要技术特征.利用数据链、电子战系统、红外搜索跟踪系统提供的目标信息引导雷达对指定空域进行小范围搜索,可以增加雷达波束目标驻留时间,提高雷达探测距离.本文给出了在外部目标信息引导下雷达搜索空域确定方法,对各种传感器的引导精度进行了分析,确定了雷达相应的搜索空域.     

飞行仿真中雷达地形数据库构建关键技术

雷达图像仿真是飞行仿真的重要组成部分,而雷达地形数据库为雷达图像仿真提供基本的数据支持。为构建满足仿真精度与实时性要求的雷达地形数据库,对相关关键技术进行了研究。在分析雷达图像仿真原理的基础上,研究了雷达地形数据库在分布式飞行仿真系统中的应用方式和组成形式。根据所用数据源的不同,对雷达地形建模技术进行了分类,并分析了不同建模方法的优缺点。比较了网格式与多边形式2种数据存储与调度技术的特点和适用性,指出多分辨率表示技术雷达地形建模中的重要性,给出了一种材质数据多分辨率映射的基于材质最大出现概率的子取样方法。对机载雷达实波束地形测绘成像进行了仿真。     

机载雷达综合显示器的仿真实现

雷达综合显示器是一种能够灵活地把雷达一次信息、二次信息、地图背景和各种表格数据综合在同一个显示界面进行显示的雷达终端系统,可以形象地提供雷达威力范围内比较全面的综合信息。本文对应用Visual C＋＋程序设计来实现航空机载雷达综合显示器的仿真问题进行了探讨。     

SIR-C/X-SAR: A multifaceted radar

The multifaceted Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) was successfully flown twice in 1994 aboard the Shuttle Endeavour as part of an international imaging radar mission. The United States SIR-C operated at L- and C-band, each with multiple polarization, utilizing an active phased array antenna. The German/Italian X-SAR operated at X-band with a single polarization. SIR-C and X-SAR operated synchronously to collect data over common sites. Data were collected for repeat-track interferometric processing at all three frequencies. A total of 143 hours (93 terabits) of SAR data were digitally recorded on tape over the two flights for subsequent processing in the U.S., Germany, and Italy. This advanced multifrequency/multipolarization system has produced a rich radar data set for Earth scientific investigation and demonstration of spaceborne radar remote sensing capabilities     

Airborne radar. [A century of powered flight: 1903-2003]

Radar is one of the major AESS disciplines and has been a major focus of papers and articles. This issue focuses on aviation and emphasizes the evolution of airborne radar systems through WW II.     

Joint STARS phased array radar antenna

The Joint STARS phased array radar system is capable of performing long range airborne surveillance and was used during the Persian Gulf war on two E8-A aircraft to fly many around-the-clock missions to monitor the Kuwait and Iraq battlefield from a safe distance behind the front lines. This paper is a follow-on to previous publications on the subject of the Joint STARS antenna and deals mainly with mission performance and technical aspects not previously covered. Radar data of troop movements and armament installations are presented, a brief review of the antenna design is given, followed by technical discussions concerning the three-port interferometry, gain and sidelobe design approach, cost control, range test implementation and future improvements     

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     

GRS 2002: German Radar Symposium in Bonn, Germany

The German Radar Symposium (GRS 2002), organized jointly by the German Institute of Navigation (DGON) and by the Information Technology Society (VDE-ITG), attracted wide interest in the international radar community. It was held from September 3-5, 2002, in Bonn, the former capital city of Germany. The GRS 2002 programme covered a large scale of important radar topics. All classical topics like air traffic control, CFAR, antenna technology, signal processing and simulation papers have been presented and new results were demonstrated. These topics were combined with new applications like meteorology, subsurface, and automotive to underline the increase of interest in radar technology. Phased array antennas are the key elements of high performance multi-function radar systems which are studied all over the world. SAR and ISAR are, nowadays, essential radar techniques for civil and military observation and monitoring.     

Design and integration of a solar AMTEC power system with anadvanced global positioning satellite

A 1,200-W solar AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric conversion) power system concept was developed and integrated with an advanced global positioning system (GPS) satellite. The critical integration issues for the SAMTEC with the GPS subsystems included: (1) packaging within the Delta II launch vehicle envelope; (2) deployment and start-up operations for the SAMTEC; (3) SAMTEC operation during all mission phases; (4) satellite field of view restrictions with satellite operations; and (5) effect of the SAMTEC requirements on other satellite subsystems. The SAMTEC power system was compared with a conventional planar solar array/battery power system to assess the differences in system weight, size, and operations, Features of the design include the use of an advanced multitube, vapor anode AMTEC cell design with 24% conversion efficiency, and a direct solar insolation receiver design with integral LiF salt canisters for energy storage to generate power during the maximum solar eclipse cycle, The modular generator design consists of an array of multitube AMTEC cells arranged into a parallel/series electrical network with built-in cell redundancy. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the solar generator design is scaleable over a 500 to 2,500-W range. No battery power is required during the operational phase of the GPS mission. SAMTEC specific power levels greater than 5 We/kg and 160 We/m² are anticipated for a mission duration of 10 to 12 years in orbits with high natural radiation backgrounds     

A technique for enhanced slant range resolution for SAR systems inknowledge-based environment

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an airborne (or spaceborne) radar mapping technique for generating high resolution maps of surface target areas including terrain. High resolution is achieved by coherently combining the returns from a number of radar transmissions. The resolution of the images is determined by the parameters of the emissions, with more data giving greater resolution. A requirement of the Microwave Radar Division's SAR radar is to provide classification of targets. This paper presents a technique for enhancing slant range resolution in SAR images by dithering the carrier centre frequency of the transmitted signal. The procedure controls the radar waveforms so they will optimally perform the classification function, rather than provide an image of best quality. It is shown that a Knowledge-Based engineering approach to determining the waveform of the radar gives considerably improved performance as a classifier of targets (of large radar cross-section), even though the corresponding image is degraded     

Robust space-time adaptive processing for airborne radar in nonhomogeneous clutter environments

Space-time adaptive processing (STAP) holds tremendous potential for the new generation airborne surveillance radar, in which the phased array antennas and pulse Doppler processing mode are adopted. A new STAP approach using the multiple-beam and multiple Doppler channels is presented here for airborne phased array radar. The approach with space-time multiple-beam (STMB) architecture is robust to array errors and has very low system degrees of freedom (DOFs). Hence, it has low sample support requirement and it is very suitable for the practical planar phased array radar under nonhomogeneous clutter environments. Meanwhile, a new nonhomogeneous detector (NHD) based on the correlation dimension (CD) is also proposed here, which is used as an effective method to screen tracing data prior to detection processing. It can further improve the performance of the STAP approach in the severely nonhomogeneous clutter environments. Therefore, a scheme that incorporates the correlation dimension nonhomogeneity detector (CD-NHD) with the STMB is recommended, which we term CD-NHD-STMB. The experimental simulation results indicate that: 1) the STMB processor is robust to array element error and has high performance under nonhomogeneous clutter environments; 2) the CD-NHD is also effective on the nonhomogeneous clutter. As a result, the CD-NHD-STMB scheme is robust to array element error and nonhomogeneous clutter, and therefore available for airborne phased array radar applications.     

用于SAR运动补偿的DGPS/SINS组合系统研究

使用考虑位置误差相关项的伪距率观测模型 ,研究了用于合成孔径雷达运动补偿的差分 GPS/ SINS伪距率组合系统。结果表明 ,组合系统的长期位置精度能达到 1 m左右。 GPS数据更新率低于 INS,在 GPS测量时间间隔内 ,组合系统的性能仅由 INS决定。虽然 INS误差随时间积累 ,在 GPS数据更新率为 1 s的情况下 ,即使采用中等精度的惯性仪表 ,其相对位置精度为厘米级 (这里相对位置精度指组合系统在 GPS测量时间间隔内位置误差的变化范围)。