Range-Doppler image classification for interference detection in over-the-horizon radar

Abstract

Sky-wave over-the-horizon radar (OTHR), as a useful tool for beyond-line-of-sight target detection, is inevitably affected by radio frequency interference (RFI) and transient interference (TSI). Conventional interference detection is usually based on radar signal processing. This paper proposes to detect the interference by classifying the range-Doppler (RD) image into three categories, i.e. RFI, TSI, and NoI (No Interference), according to the texture differences. Unlike the conventional way, RD image classification has direct reflection of the interference's influence on target detection. To design the RD image classifier, we develop signal models to construct the simulated database, use real data to construct the real database, and employ various classification theories, e.g. deep learning, traditional machine learning, feature fusion, and ensemble learning. Experimental results show that the RD image classifier is an effective and promising tool for interference detection. Strong interference can be accurately detected, while weak interference needs more study in the future.