Target Detection and Localization Using Non-Cooperative Frequency Agile Phased Array Radar Illuminator

Abstract

Recently, passive bistatic radar (PBR) has become an emerging technology because it allows target detection and localization with advantages of low cost, covert detection, low vulnerability to electronic jamming and high valuable counter to stealth technology. However, these researchers mainly focus on the illuminators of opportunity such as FM radio, television broadcast, mobile network basestation, wireless fidelity, long term evolution, global navigation satellite, etc. Different from the aforementioned illuminators, this paper introduces a new PBR using a non-cooperative frequency agile phased array radar illuminator. The types of illuminator of opportunity are enriched, whereas the difficulties in PBR signal processing also come along. On one hand, since PBR works in a non-cooperative mode, there is a problem that the instantaneous parameters of transmitting signal are unknown at the receiver. On the other hand, the frequency agility technology destroys the coherency between pulses and the ability of rapidly changing beam scanning makes it difficult for PBR to realize space synchronization. Under such scenarios, conventional radar signal processing methods cannot be conducted effectively. To address these problems, this paper then proposes a feasible target detection and localization method, which is tested by field experiments. Preliminary results validate the proposed method can be applied to PBR system successfully.