Robust and Reliable Exploitation for Ground Moving Target Detection, Geolocation and Tracking Using Synthetic Aperture Radar

ABSTRACT:This proposal addresses the problem of geolocating moving targets (GMTI) from data sets collected as part of an imaging program such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR). A linear frequency modulation (LFM) waveform from a moving platform that contains both the transmitter and the receiver (monostatic case) is envisioned here. Combining Along-track Interferometry (ATI) and Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) can often yield accurate target geolocations. However many system parameters may not support both these approaches simultaneously. In those cases where the number of spatial degrees of freedom are limited, but multiple phase centers are available, target geolocations can still be obtained by exploiting the available data. In this proposal we discuss an interferogram based approach and as an example illustrate its utility to measured radar data. Incorporating both spatial and temporal prior information for reducing false alarms is another important task that C&P planes to address during the Phase I period. Associated computational complexity for real-time implementation is another task that will be addressed during the proposed effort.BENEFIT:The proposed Phase I effort will provide the necessary key algorithms/methods for detection, geolocation and tracking of moving targets using synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In particular, the proposed effort will address how to perform target detection and geolocation using SAR. The proposed Phase I effort will offer the necessary key algorithms/methods for integration of the proposed algorithms into current SAR radar system. Commercial applications include improved the current radar system performance for border patrol, drug traffic monitoring, perimeter surveillance and air traffic control applications.