Joint Time-Frequency Signal Processing Scheme in Forward Scattering Radar with a Rotational Transmitter

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of a Forward Scattering Radar (FSR) system with a rotational transmitter for target detection and localization. Most of the research and development in FSR used a fixed dedicated transmitter; therefore, the detection of stationary and slow moving target is very difficult. By rotating the transmitter, the received signals at the receiver contain extra information carried by the Doppler due to the relative movement of the transmitter-target-receiver. Hence, rotating the transmitter enhances the detection capability especially for a stationary and slow-moving target. In addition, it increases the flexibility of the transmitter to control the signal direction, which broadens the coverage of FSR networks. In this paper, a novel signal processing for the new mode of FSR system based on the signal's joint time-frequency is proposed and discussed. Additionally, the concept of the FSR system with the rotational transmitter is analyzed experimentally for the detection and localization of a stationary target, at very low speed and a low profile target crossing the FSR baseline. The system acts as a virtual fencing of a remote sensor for area monitoring. The experimental results show that the proposed mode with the new signal processing scheme can detect a human intruder. The potential applications for this system could be used for security and border surveillance, debris detection on an airport runway, ground aerial monitoring, intruder detection, etc.

The Use of the Reassignment Technique in the Time-Frequency Analysis Applied in VHF-Based Passive Forward Scattering Radar

“…In such a case, the illuminator of opportunity can be located both, in the same region as the receiver and in a foreign terrain which expands the possibility of the systems. In addition, passive FSR with other radars with rotating antenna as a source of illumination can be used in such scenario to detect and localize slow moving targets, which can be an extension of work described by Raja Abdullah et al [ 48 ], where a cooperative transmitter was employed as an illuminator of opportunity. Debris detection—a passive FSR system can detect and estimate movement parameters of debris which may be of particular importance for space applications.…”

“…The system can be particularly useful for facilities not equipped with a transponder. In order not to employ another signal transmitter, an Airport Surveillance Radar with a rotating antenna may be used, which is routinely available at most airports [ 48 ]. Ground aerial monitoring—where traffic is prohibited or where the velocity is strictly limited the passive FSR system and especially the algorithm proposed in this paper may be useful.…”

“…The system can be particularly useful for facilities not equipped with a transponder. In order not to employ another signal transmitter, an Airport Surveillance Radar with a rotating antenna may be used, which is routinely available at most airports [ 48 ].…”

Micro-Doppler Estimation and Analysis of Slow Moving Objects in Forward Scattering Radar System

“…Recently, the use of FSR systems has gained the interest of radar enthusiasts. As a result, FSR system has been employed in many applications (mostly no micro motion of target) such as vehicle recognition and classification [2][3][4][5], maritime target parameter evaluation [4,6], vehicles speed estimation [7], virtual microwave fences [8], and air target (airplane) detection [9]. However, the FSR's effectiveness and capability for micro-Doppler detections are still unclear, thus the study remains a broad area of research and poses fresh challenges.…”

Editorial for Special Issue “Radar Systems for the Societal Challenges”

“…In the same context the paper from Abdullah et al [10] investigates how the micro-Doppler signatures can be exploited for target recognition under the forward scattering radar (FSR) configuration, which is little analyzed and investigated in the literature. The same problem is faced in [11], where the concept of a FSR system, with a rotational transmitter for target detection and localization, is exploited for achieving extra information carried by the Doppler due to the relative movement of the transmitter-target-receiver. The potential applications of the FSR system regards security and border surveillance, debris detection on an airport runway, ground aerial monitoring, intruder detection, etc.…”