Detection of Low-RCS Targets in Sea-Clutter using Multi-Function Radar

In this paper, we propose a method for suppressing sea clutter and estimating the range and velocity of a slow target with a low SCR(Signal to Clutter power Ratio) using the difference in the velocities and correlation characteristics of the target and sea clutter. Sea clutter is suppressed using the eigenvector corresponding to the smallest eigenvalue of a sample covariance matrix for temporal correlation of sea clutter in the absence of a target in the range-Doppler map. In addition, the velocities of the target and clutter are obtained using a DFT matrix as the pulse axis. To verify the performance of the algorithm, we simulate the root mean square error of the range and velocity of the target and obtain the detection probability. It was proven that the detection probability that was obtained using the proposed algorithm was much higher than that obtained using the CA-CFAR method.

Algorithm for Estimating the Target Range and Velocity in Sea Clutter

Suh¹,

Chun²,

Jung³

et al. 2020

Radar Performance Analysis Based on Target Maneuvering Using Radar Cross Section Simulation Data

Kim¹,

Jeon²,

Park³

et al. 2021

During radar operation, changes in the radar cross section (RCS) of a target have an adverse effect on the radar detection performance. In particular, the RCS of a target with high maneuvering characteristics can be changed rapidly. Therefore, a precise prediction of the RCS change is essential for satisfactory radar detection performance. In this study, a modeling and simulation (M&S) tool was developed for the estimation of radar detection performance. The M&S tool comprises a radar model, target model, and wave propagation model. In particular, pre-obtained RCS simulation data were utilized to consider the effect of the RCS change of the target. Using the developed tool, the RCS based on the relative attitude is extracted from the RCS simulation data and the RCS processed data using the moving average method. The M&S model is verified by comparing the two test results with the radar received signal power. Consequently, we verified that when using the RCS manufacturing data, the signal power is more similar to the test data than the other RCS simulation methods. It is expected that the radar performance on the high-maneuvering target can be estimated using the developed M&S tool.

A Study on Improving the Performance of Low-Altitude, High-Speed Target Detection at Sea Using Dual-Band Radar

Rah¹,

Lee²,

Kang³

et al. 2023

Self Cite

Low-altitude and high-speed targets that fly close to the sea level are generally detected using a single-band moving target indicator (MTI) technique. The MTI technique detects a moving target by filtering out the sea-clutter Doppler spectrum. However, when detecting a low-altitude, high-speed target flying close to the sea, blind speed problems can occur because of the fast maneuvering characteristics of the target. Moreover, multipath phenomena and false alarm may occur due to the influence of the sea. Such problems make detection difficult. In this paper, we propose a detector suitable for high-speed targets in sea conditions using dual-band radar. Low-altitude and high-speed targets were modeled by considering the maritime situation, and robust detection against blind speed and multipath phenomena was confirmed by applying the proposed technique to the average Doppler power of the received signal in each band. Finally, simulations for various speeds and distances of the target confirmed that the proposed method showed improved target detection performance than the existing single-band method when detecting low-altitude, high-speed targets in sea conditions.