Radar Track Acquisition Range

The track acquisiton range of a track-while-scan radar is defined as the range at which the cumulative probability of M detections in N scans is 90 percent. Track acquisition ranges for 2 out of 3, 2 out of 4, and 3 out of 4 detection criteria are presented for Swerling 0, 1, and 3 target models.     

Design of a space-based radar signal processor

Space-based radar (SBR) is capable of providing flexible wide-area coverage of air, land, and sea targets. Numerous studies have been carried out in the United States and Canada in recent years to investigate different concepts for SBR. The design of a suitable radar signal processor (RSP) is challenging due to the effects caused by the moving platform on target integration and clutter spectral spread. A candidate RSP is described that uses a corporate fed array (CFA) antenna as its primary radar sensor. The algorithmic definitions of the signal processing functions are provided; the relationships between these functions and the reasons for their location in the signal processing chain are also discussed. In addition, techniques for reducing the computational requirements are also presented     

In-orbit demonstration of rendezvous laser radar for unmanned autonomous rendezvous docking

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) performed unmanned autonomous rendezvous docking (RVD) experiments using the Engineering Test Satellite VII (ETS-VII) in 1998 and 1999. In these experiments, a rendezvous laser radar (RVR) was used as the primary navigation sensor during the final approach phase (relative distances from 500 m to 2 m). The RVR functioned properly, and its characteristics, which are measurement accuracy, optical propagation, and acquisition/tracking, satisfied the requirements. The experimental results show that RVR is effective for autonomous rendezvous docking.     

Sidelobe blanking with integration and target fluctuation

In radar systems, sidelobe blanking (SLB) is used to mitigate impulsive interference that enters the radar through sidelobes of the main antenna. SLB employs an auxiliary antenna channel with the output being compared with that of the main antenna channel and a decision is then made as to whether or not to blank the main channel output. SLB performance determination involves the evaluation of several probability functions. Based on the classical Maisel SLB architecture, this work extends previous performance results, in which detection was limited to the case of a single radar pulse with either Marcum or Swerling I target fluctuation. Probability expressions have been generalized to include both an arbitrary number of integrated pulses and target fluctuation models based on the gamma distribution. The Swerling fluctuation models are all special cases of the gamma distribution. Results are derived in terms of two generalized probability functions, one for detection and the other for blanking. With these generalized probability functions, the SLB design and performance results can be determined. Examples are presented and discussed.     

Radar power multiplier for acquisition of low observables using anESA radar

In this paper the acquisition of a low observable (LO) incoming tactical ballistic missile using the measurements from a surface based electronically scanned array (ESA) radar is presented. We present a batch maximum likelihood (ML) estimator to acquire the missile while it is exo-atmospheric. The proposed estimator, which combines ML estimation with the probabilistic data association (PDA) approach resulting in the ML-PDA algorithm to handle false alarms, also uses target features. The use of features facilitates target acquisition under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Typically, ESA radars operate at 13-20 dB, whereas the new estimator is shown to be effective even at 4 dB SNR (in a resolution cell, at the end of the signal processing chain) for a Swerling III fluctuating target, which represents a significant counter-stealth capability. That is, this algorithm acts as an effective “power multiplier” for the radar by about an order of magnitude. An approximate Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB), quantifying the attainable estimation accuracies and shown to be met by the proposed estimator, is derived as well     

Pulse Doppler signature of a rotary-wing aircraft

Field measurements of a modified Sikorsky S-55 helicopter target were carried out to investigate rotary-wing aircraft Doppler radar signature phenomenology. The results of the data analysis with regard to classification and identification of the aircraft based on its signature are presented. It was found that using the Doppler radar return and appropriate feature extraction techniques, the helicopter's design features can be estimated. Target backscatter from the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, or hub can be used for target detection, acquisition, and classification as a rotary-wing aircraft. The extraction of configuration and blade count features can further define the helicopter for identification     

关于低RCS目标外形优化中目标函数的确定

在分析了低RCS目标外形优化中现有的两种目标函数的局限性的基础上,根据雷达检测概率与目标RCS分布之间的关系,提出了一种新的目标函数,即目标在威胁区域内其RCS大于规定的临界RCS的概率。算例表明本文所提出的目标函数比现有的目标函数更为有效,适用范围更广。为低RCS目标外形优化设计以及气动与隐身一体化设计提供了一个合理而有效的目标函数。     

Noise-correlating radar based on retrodirective antennas

A new retrodirective antenna-based search radar system has been introduced. The suggested system uses a noise correlation technique to detect the presence and the direction of the target. Simulation and analytical results show an order of magnitude improvement in acquisition time of the radar when compared with a phased array antenna-based radar system with the same specifications, except transmit power. To the best knowledge of the authors, no radar of a comparable acquisition time has been designed to this date. Power versus acquisition time tradeoff has been compared with a phased array radar for evaluating performance of the system. The radar is self-tracking due to retrodirectivity of the antenna array, and is much easier to implement, as it does not require any phase shifters etc.     

基于DRFM技术的雷达标校器设计与实现

建立了基于数字射频存储器技术构建雷达标校器的方法.该雷达标校器可灵活实现目标运动模拟、多普勒频率加载、目标RCS模拟、多目标模拟等功能,较传统的基于光纤延迟实现的雷达标校器更具有应用价值.针对实际应用需求提出了解决频率捷变的方案,给出了典型模拟策略所需数学模型.应用研究表明,基于数字射频存储器技术的雷达标校器具有较强的...     

Radar Partial Coherence Theory: An Introduction

The nature of physical phenomena is such that scattering from portions of an object, a number of objects, or clutter, is not completely unrelated; the underlying environment causes some degree of order in the phenomenon. Radar partial coherence theory describes a structure for the general target, or clutter, and its relationship to radar cross section, waveform coding, and the radar output signal. The clutter ambiguity function is introduced for extended bodies and embraces the (Woodward) ambiguity function for a point target. Due to nonlinear effects caused by partial coherence within the general target, radar signals and targets are formulated in terms of mutual coherence functions. The basic quantities describing the radar output are 1) the radar mutual coherence function (formulated in terms of the radar waveform) and 2) the target mutual coherence function which depends upon target properties, physical environment, and viewing aspect. Random noise (independent point scatterers) and partially coherent portions of reflecting bodies are made accountable in the theory. Partial coherence effects are treated as patches of reflected energy: self-coherent energy patches plus mutually coherent energy among the patches.     

SAR ATR performance using a conditionally Gaussian model

A family of conditionally Gaussian signal models for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is presented, extending a related class of models developed for high resolution radar range profiles. This signal model is robust with respect to the variations of the complex-valued radar signals due to the coherent combination of returns from scatterers as those scatterers move through relative distances on the order of a wavelength of the transmitted signal (target speckle). The target type and the relative orientations of the sensor, target, and ground plane parameterize the conditionally Gaussian model. Based upon this model, algorithms to jointly estimate both the target type and pose are developed. Performance results for both target pose estimation and target recognition are presented for publicly released data from the MSTAR program     

Enhanced target detection using stereoscopic imaging radar

An earlier correspondence reported experiments which suggested that the visibility of a target in clutter could be improved through stereoscopic viewing of high resolution radar images. Here we provide a more thorough discussion on the application of stereo for improving radar detection and recognition. Experiments are reported which confirm and extend the earlier reported results. An example of the use of stereo in a practical system is provided which demonstrates the potential for acquisition of high quality radar stereograms     

主动寻的末制导的截获性能分析

研究了雷达指令修正惯导中制导加主动寻的末制导的复合制导体制下,雷达定位误差造成的导引头天线指向角误差和多普勒定频误差的统计特性,计算了末制导的截获概率,明确了不同因素对截获性能的影响。     

Radar target classification using doppler signatures of human locomotion models

The problem of target classification for ground surveillance Doppler radars is addressed. Two sources of knowledge are presented and incorporated within the classification algorithms: 1) statistical knowledge on radar target echo features, and 2) physical knowledge, represented via the locomotion models for different targets. The statistical knowledge is represented by distribution models whose parameters are estimated using a collected database. The physical knowledge is represented by target locomotion and radar measurements models. Various concepts to incorporate these sources of knowledge are presented. These concepts are tested using real data of radar echo records, which include three target classes: one person, two persons and vehicle. A combined approach, which implements both statistical and physical prior knowledge provides the best classification performance, and it achieves a classification rate of 99% in the three-class problem in high signal-to-noise conditions.     

A branch-and-bound algorithm applied to optimal radar search pattern

In the article, the radar acquisition problem, e.g. the determination of a directional energy allocation sequence, is studied. The radar search pattern goal is the detection of a moving target whose initial location is approximately known. We have turned towards the general search theory where the observer allocates indivisible search efforts while the target presence probability spreads due to its dynamics. A few years ago, a Branch and Bound algorithm was proposed to determine the optimal sequence for a conditionally deterministic target. This operational research algorithm supposes a negative exponential detection function and a one over N detection logic, meaning that the target is declared detected if it has been detected once over a horizon of N looks. We have applied it to a narrow-beam tracking radar attempting to acquire a ballistic target. Non-trivial search patterns, such as expanding-contracting spirals, are obtained.     

Target-Handling Capacity of a Phased-Array Tracking Radar

The factors which affect the target-handling capacity of an agile-beamelectronically scanned multitarget-tracking radar are reviewed and analyze.Consideration is given to the choice of strategy for dwell allocation amongtargets, the choice of trajectory extrapolation algorithms for target tracking, and the determination of saturation target acquisition rates. Emphasisis placed upon radar systems with control computers having limited speed and memory, and recommendations are made for allocation strategy and targetytracking algorithms, based on uniform sampling, to be used in maximizing thetarget-handling capacity in this situation.     

Low-cost technology for multimode radar

A flexible test bed radar architecture is described which includes an integrated RF electronics package that can support multiple radar applications, including surveillance, fire control, target acquisition, and tracking. This type of architecture can significantly reduce the cost, power, size, and weight of electronics on future weapon delivery platforms. The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is developing technology to support multimode radar requirements. These requirements include the detection and location of moving or stationary low radar cross section targets in heavy ground clutter and the classification and/or recognition of these targets. We address these requirements with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and the integration of several enabling technologies. The test bed radar includes a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) for frequency-diverse waveform generation, a flexible wideband transceiver for bandwidth extension and frequency translation, and an open architecture signal processor with embedded wideband analog-to-digital converters for real-time acquisition and processing. Efficient signal processing algorithms have been developed to demonstrate multimode radar capability. This paper discusses the various subassemblies, algorithm efficiency, and field experiment results     

Resolution and synthetic aperture characterization of sparse radar arrays

The concept of radar satellite constellations, or clusters, for synthetic aperture radar (SAR), moving target indicator (MTI), and other radar modes has been proposed and is currently under research. These constellations form an array that is sparsely populated and irregularly spaced; therefore, traditional matched filtering is inadequate for dealing with the constellation's radiation pattern. To aid in the design, analysis, and signal processing of radar satellite constellations and sparse arrays in general, the characterization of the resolution and ambiguity functions of such systems is investigated. We project the radar's received phase history versus five sensor parameters: time, frequency, and three-dimensional position, into a phase history in terms of two eigensensors that can be interpreted as the dimensions of a two-dimensional synthetic aperture. Then, the synthetic aperture expression is used to derive resolution and the ambiguity function. Simulations are presented to verify the theory.     

An ultrahigh-speed large capacity radar data acquisition system

An ultra-high-speed, large-capacity radar data acquisition system that achieves a rate of 150 Msample/s is presented. The acquisition system includes a high-speed 512 K×8 b data buffer memory that is very useful for long-time radar data acquisition. The data can be transferred to the computer through a computer interface circuit, using the direct memory access method at a data transfer rate up to 5 Mb/s. The data can be saved or displayed on a screen