Angle estimation for two unresolved targets with monopulse radar

Most present-day radar systems use monopulse techniques to extract angular measurements of sunbeam accuracy. The familiar "monopulse ratio" is a very effective means to derive the angle of a single target within a radar beam. For the simultaneous estimation of the angles of two closely-spaced targets, a modification on the monopulse ratio was derived in (Blair and Pearce, 2001), while (Sinha et al., 2002) presented a maximum likelihood (ML) technique via numerical search. In this paper it is shown that the ML solution can in fact be found explicitly, and the numerical search of ((Sinha et al., 2002) is unnecessary. However, the ML solution requires the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for each target to be known, and hence we generalize it so it requires only the relative SNR. Several versions of expectation maximization (EM) joint angle estimators are also derived, these differing in the degree to which prior information on SNR and on beam pattern are assumed. The performances of the different direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimators for unresolved targets are studied via Monte Carlo, and it is found that most have similar performance: this is remarkable since the use of prior information (SNR, relative SNR, beam pattern) varies widely between them. There is, however, considerable performance variability as a function of the two targets' off-boresight angles. A simple combined technique that fuses the results from different approaches is thus proposed, and it performs well uniformly.     

Monopulse tracking of Rayleigh targets: a simple approach

A simple derivation of the probability distribution of the monopulse ratio is presented. The derivation is based upon a conditional distribution and considers both Rayleigh targets and simple non-Rayleigh cases. The mean is obtained almost without calculation. The variance expression is given completely general noise and glint interpretation. Analytical expressions for angle error mean and spread, including noise, target width, and unresolved targets, are presented as functions of antenna position, in simple and comprehensive diagrams     

Bayesian tracking of two possibly unresolved maneuvering targets

The paper studies the problem of maintaining tracks of two targets that may maneuver in and out formation flight, whereas the sensor and measurement extraction chain produces false and possibly unresolved or missing measurements. If the possibility of unresolved measurements is not modelled then it is quite likely that either the two tracks coalesce or that one of the two tracks diverges on false measurements. In literature a robust measurement resolution model has been incorporated within an interacting multiple model/multiple hypothesis tracking (IMM/MHT) track maintenance setting. A straightforward incorporation of the same model within an IMM and probabilistic data association (PDA)-like hypothesis merging approach suffers from track coalescence. In order to improve this situation, the paper develops a track-coalescence avoiding hypotheses merging version for the two target problem considered. Through Monte Carlo simulations, the novel filters are compared with applying hypotheses merging approaches that ignore the possibility of unresolved measurements or track-coalescence.     

Maximum likelihood detection of unresolved moving targets

Maximum likelihood estimation and decision theory is applied to the problem of detecting unresolved moving targets with a particular emphasis on space surveillance applications. A general formulation is derived which accounts for fluctuating targets, extended optical point spread functions (PSFs), and long frame integration times such that target images can form streaks within a single image. Probability of false alarm and of detection curves are generated from field data and simulations and compared with theoretical predictions     

DOA estimation under unknown mutual coupling and multipath

We propose a new method for direction of arrival (DOA) estimation in the presence of multipath propagation and mutual coupling for a frequency hopping (FH) system. With the use of pilot symbols and assuming perfect time-frequency synchronization for a linear array, we take mutual coupling and multipath propagation into account, and derive a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator for both the mutual coupling matrix and DOA estimation. We then formulate an iterative alternating minimization (AM) algorithm for finding the mutual coupling and DOA parameters in an alternate manner. Simulation results illustrating the performance of the algorithm and comparison with the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) are also presented.     

Sensitivity analysis of DOA estimation algorithms to sensor errors

A unified statistical performance analysis using subspace perturbation expansions is applied to subspace-based algorithms for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation in the presence of sensor errors. In particular, the multiple signal classification (MUSIC), min-norm, state-space realization (TAM and DDA) and estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) algorithms are analyzed. This analysis assumes that only a finite amount of data is available. An analytical expression for the mean-squared error of the DOA estimates is developed for theoretical comparison in a simple and self-contained fashion. The tractable formulas provide insight into the algorithms. Simulation results verify the analysis     

Tracker and signal processing for the benchmark problem with unresolved targets

Radar signal processing is particularly important in tracking closely spaced targets and targets in the presence of sea-surface-induced multipath. Closely spaced targets can produce unresolved measurements when they occupy the same range cell of the radar. These issues are the salient features of the benchmark problem for tracking unresolved targets combined with radar management, for which this paper presents the only complete solution to date. In this paper a modified version of a recently developed maximum likelihood (ML) angle estimator, which can produce two measurements from a single (unresolved) detection, is presented. A modified generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is also described to detect the presence of two unresolved targets. Sea-surface-induced multipath can produce a severe bias in the elevation angle measurement when the conventional monopulse ratio angle extractor method is used. A modified version of a recently developed ML angle extractor, which produces nearly unbiased elevation angle measurements and significantly improves the track accuracy, is presented. Efficient radar resource allocation algorithms for two closely spaced targets and targets flying close to the sea surface are also presented. Finally, the IMMPDAF (interacting multiple model estimator with probabilistic data association filter modules) is used to track these targets. It is found that a two-model IMMPDAF performs better than the three-model version used in the previous benchmark. Also, the IMMPDAF with a coordinated turn model works better than the one using a Wiener process acceleration model. The signal processing and tracking algorithms presented here, operating in a feedback manner, form a comprehensive solution to the most realistic tracking and radar management problem to date.     

DOA and steering vector estimation using a partially calibratedarray

We consider the problem of estimating directions of arrival (DOAs) using an array of sensors, where some of the sensors are perfectly calibrated, while others are uncalibrated. We identify a cost function whose minimizer is a statistically consistent and efficient estimator of the unknown parameters-the DOAs and the gains and phases of the uncalibrated sensors. Next we present an iterative algorithm for finding the minimum of that cost function The proposed algorithm is guaranteed to converge. The performance of the estimation algorithm is compared with the Cramer Rao bound (CRB). The derivation of the bound is also included. It is shown that DOA accuracy can be improved by adding uncalibrated sensors to a precisely calibrated array. Moreover, the number of sources that can be resolved may be larger than the number that can be resolved by the calibrated portion of the array     

DOA estimation and mutual coupling calibration with the SAGE algorithm

In this paper, a novel algorithm is presented for direction of arrival（DOA） estimation and array self-calibration in the presence of unknown mutual coupling. In order to highlight the relationship between the array output and mutual coupling coefficients, we present a novel model of the array output with the unknown mutual coupling coefficients. Based on this model, we use the space alternating generalized expectation-maximization（SAGE） algorithm to jointly estimate the DOA parameters and the mutual coupling coefficients. Unlike many existing counterparts, our method requires neither calibration sources nor initial calibration information. At the same time,our proposed method inherits the characteristics of good convergence and high estimation precision of the SAGE algorithm. By numerical experiments we demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms the existing method for DOA estimation and mutual coupling calibration.     

相关色噪声下无冗余累积量稀疏表示DOA估计

针对传统均匀线阵中四阶累积量计算复杂度大、对快拍数敏感的问题,提出了一种快速去冗余的高分辨波达方向估计新方法。该方法首先通过构造选择矩阵对四阶累积量矩阵进行第1次降维处理,摒弃传统四阶累积量中大量冗余数据,然后对无冗余累积量矩阵进行矢量化并通过二次降维得到统计性能更优的向量观测模型,最后在相应的过完备基下建立观测模型的稀疏表示进行波达方向(Direction of Arrival,DOA)估计。同时将方法推广到L型阵列2维DOA估计,扩展了其应用范围。与传统的四阶累积量方法相比,该方法大大地减小了计算量,对快拍数要求不高,并且能够有效地抑制相关色噪声。理论分析和仿真实验验证了该方法对1维和2维DOA估计都具有较高的估计精度和分辨率。     

DOA estimation by exploiting the amplitude modulation induced by antenna scanning

We propose a beamsplitting-like approach to estimate the directions of arrival (DOA) of multiple radar targets present in the mainlobe of a rotating antenna. The proposed method is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) technique and it avoids the need for a difference channel by exploiting knowledge of the antenna main beam pattern. Two scenarios are considered: multiple targets with unknown deterministic complex amplitudes and multiple targets with Gaussian distributed random complex amplitudes. The performance of the proposed estimator is investigated through Monte Carlo simulation and it is compared with the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB).     

Accurate single-observer passive coherent location estimation based on TDOA and DOA

This paper investigates the problem of target position estimation with a single-observer passive coherent location(PCL) system. An approach that combines angle with time difference of arrival(ATDOA) is used to estimate the location of a target. Compared with the TDOA-only method which needs two steps, the proposed method estimates the target position more directly. The constrained total least squares(CTLS) technique is applied in this approach. It achieves the Cramer–Rao lower bound(CRLB) when the parameter measurements are subject to small Gaussian-distributed errors. Performance analysis and the CRLB of this approach are also studied. Theory verifies that the ATDOA method gets a lower CRLB than the TDOA-only method with the same TDOA measuring error. It can also be seen that the position of the target affects estimating precision.At the same time, the locations of transmitters affect the precision and its gradient direction.Compared with the TDOA, the ATDOA method can obtain more precise target position estimation.Furthermore, the proposed method accomplishes target position estimation with a single transmitter,while the TDOA-only method needs at least four transmitters to get the target position. Furthermore,the transmitters' position errors also affect precision of estimation regularly.     

DOA and polarization estimation via signal reconstruction with linear polarization-sensitive arrays

This paper addresses the problem of direction-of-arrival(DOA) and polarization estimation with polarization sensitive arrays(PSA), which has been a hot topic in the area of array signal processing during the past two or three decades. The sparse Bayesian learning(SBL) technique is introduced to exploit the sparsity of the incident signals in space to solve this problem and a new method is proposed by reconstructing the signals from the array outputs first and then exploiting the reconstructed signals to realize parameter estimation. Only 1-D searching and numerical calculations are contained in the proposed method, which makes the proposed method computationally much efficient. Based on a linear array consisting of identically structured sensors, the proposed method can be used with slight modifications in PSA with different polarization structures. It also performs well in the presence of coherent signals or signals with different degrees of polarization. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the parameter estimation precision of the proposed method.     

回溯降维相干分布式非圆信号DOA快速估计

在相干分布式非圆(CDNC)信号波达方向(DOA)估计中,针对阵列输出矩阵扩展后维数增加带来的较大运算量问题,基于降维的多级维纳滤波(MSWF)技术,引入回溯优化思想,提出了一种快速估计算法。该算法首先利用信号非圆特性扩展阵列输出矩阵,然后通过MSWF递推分解快速求出信号子空间,避免了计算阵列协方差矩阵及特征分解,并且在递推过程中引入回溯优化机制提高了各级匹配滤波器的估计性能,最后由最小二乘(LS)或者总体最小二乘(TLS)得到DOA估计。仿真分析表明,所提算法与相干分布式非圆信号旋转不变子空间算法(CDNC-ESPRIT)性能相当,但复杂度得到了大幅度降低,相比于基于MSWF的非圆信号快速子空间(NC-MSWF-FS)算法,在较小的复杂度代价下大幅度提升了低信噪比时的估计性能,并且对初始参考信号的选取具有了较强的鲁棒性。     

Performance analysis for DOA estimation algorithms: unification,simplification, and observations

Subspace based direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation has motivated many performance studies, but limitations such as the assumption of an infinite amount of data and analysis of individual algorithms generally exist in these performance studies. The authors have previously proposed a unified performance analysis based on a finite amount of data and achieved a tractable expression for the mean-squared DOA estimation error for the multiple signal classification (MUSIC). Min-Norm, estimation of signal parameters using rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT), and state-space realization algorithms. However, this expression uses the singular values and vectors of a data matrix, which are obtained by the highly nonlinear transformation of the singular value decomposition (SVD). Thus the effects of the original data parameters such as numbers of sensors and snapshots, source coherence and separations were not explicitly analyzed. The authors unify and simplify this previous result and derive a unified expression based on the original data parameters. They analytically observe the effects of these parameters on the estimation error     

Monopulse Resolution of Interferometric Ambiguities

Ambiguities in interferometers with high angular accuracy must be resolved to achieve a practical system design. A new technique for ambiguity resolution is described and is based on monopulse circuitry used with the interferometric elements. The overall angular accuracy of the system is achieved by the interferometer; the angular accuracy of the monopulse subsystem is used to resolve interferometric ambiguities. An expression for the probability of correct ambiguity resolution is derived as a function of element size and monopulse accuracy which indicates that high probability of ambiguity resolution results when the size of the interferometric elements are a fraction of the interferometric baseline. Finally, a comparison between conventional monopulse and interferometric system designs is made for the three principal parameters, signal sensitivity, angular accuracy, and field of view, that dictate the appropriate choice for a particular application. Interferometric systems are more appropriate than monopulse systems for those applications in which angular accuracy and field of view are more important than signal sensitivity.     

The Effect of Jamming on Monopulse Accuracy

An expression is applied for the probability density function (pdf) of the monopulse ratio when skin echoes from a passive target are contaminated by interference from a jammer. The analysis is valid for arbitrary signal-to-jam ratio and arbitrary locations of the target and jammer in the beam. For an on-axis skin target and a stand-off jammer at an off-axis location, the "pulling" effect of the jammer and the accuracy of the angle estimate are compared with the approximations currently employed in radar performance analysis. The pdf of the monopulse ratio for large and for small signal-to-jam ratios is presented, showing that the pdf is bimodal at small signal-to-jam ratio.     

Detection of Target Multiplicity Using Monopulse Quadrature Angle

The feasibility of using the indicated quadrature angle of arrival of a monopulse radar to discriminate a single target from multiple targets, separated in angle within a radar resolution cell, is investigated. The analysis is performed for steady (fixed) and Rayleigh fluctuating targets which cover a broad range of target characteristics. In both cases, the interfering signals due to noise and clutter in the sum and difference monopulse channels are assumed to be independent, zero-mean Gaussian processes. Detection and false alarm probabilities are evaluated analytically and the receiver operating characteristics are obtained for both fixed and fluctuating target cases. It is shown that multiple targets can be discriminated from a single target condition by integrating the indicated monopulse quadrature angle of arrival from several independent pulses. It is also shown that the probability of detecting multiple targets increases as the fluctuation in the target radar cross section decreases, approaching the fixed amplitude case in the limit.     

Varieties of Average Monopulse Responses to Multiple Targets

A monopulse receiver exhibits three apparently distinct types of average response when the radar sees two jammers, two passive targets, or one of each. This variety of response types is analyzed and shown to be consistent, i.e., the responses are shown to be special cases of a general formula which applies to two independent targets with uniformly distributed phase difference.     

An Analysis of Wide-Band Microwave Monopulse Direction-Finding Techniques

This paper presents the concept, theory of operation, characteris tic equations, and error analysis of four wide-band monopulse techniques. The basic techniques described, which include pure amplitude monopulse, phase and amplitude monopulse (two-and three-channel configurations), and pure phase monopulse interferometer, are particularly applicable to monopulse direction finding systems that require frequency coverage over several octaves and open-loop angle bearing of several degrees. Sufficient detail and working formulas are included to permit a trade-off analysis to be made between the direction-finding techniques for selection in specific hardware applications.