Prototyping a Dual-Channel Receiver for use in a Staring Cooperative Radar Network for the Detection of Drones

Abstract

Staring radars use a transmitting static wide-beam antenna and a directive digital array to form multiple simultaneous beams on receive. Because beams are fixed, the radar can employ long integration times to detect slow low-RCS targets, such as drones, which present a challenge to traditional air surveillance radar. The use of multiple spatially separated receivers cooperating with the staring transmitters in a multistatic network allows multi-perspective target acquisitions that can help mitigate interference, such as signal multipath, and ultimately enhance the detection of drones and reduce target parameter estimation errors. Here, the design of a dual-channel receiver prototype for use in a multistatic cooperative network is presented. Several measurements have been taken using the prototype receiver in a bistatic configuration to test and assess its performance.

A Survey on Radar Techniques for Detection,Tracking, and Classification of Aerial Threats

“…UAV tracks were created using a recursive random sample consensus algorithm from the combined detection paths of the two radar systems. In [265], UAV detection is carried out using a staring cooperative radar network. A widebeam antenna and a directive digital array are used by the staring radars.…”

“…A widebeam antenna and a directive digital array are used by the staring radars. The setup in [265] allows simultaneous multiple fixed beams at the RX allowing long integration times that help in the detection of slow-moving small UAVs.…”

Constellation Estimation, Coherent Signal Processing, and Multiperspective Imaging in an Uncoupled Bistatic Cooperative Radar Network

“…Furthermore, depending on the target material and geometry, different scattering characteristics of a radar target are possible [12]. Stealth targets, for example, can be resolved better by bistatic systems [13], [14], [15]. Hence, combining monostatic and bistatic signals into a multiperspective radar image can better handle different targets with varying angledependent radar cross-sections (RCSs).…”