Impact of diverse waveforms on clutter statistics

Abstract

This paper addresses the impact of diverse waveforms on clutter statistics in the context of waveform diversity for multi-functional operation from a specific platform as well as for multiple sensing from multiple platforms. A key issue in this context is that of clutter mitigation via the use of diverse waveforms. Classical space-time adaptive processing (STAP) methods for radar target detection can be viewed in the context of a whiten and match filter. To this end, we seek efficient waveforms that lend themselves for such processing. This paper specifically considers a statistical analysis of experimental data collected at low grazing angles to validate the fact that VV polarized data conforms to Rayleigh scatter, while HH data does not. Consequently, VV data is suitable for whiten and match processing adopted in conventional radar STAP.