Suppression of Wind Turbine Clutter from Radar Data

ABSTRACT: It is well known that wind turbine clutter (WTC) presents a significant challenge to detecting targets in civilian and military applications. The large radar cross section (RCS) of wind turbines, combined with their significant range of Doppler spread, make traditional clutter mitigation techniques effectively useless. The objective of this Phase I effort is to develop a physically consistent mathematical model which will accurately characterize the backscattered radar response of wind turbines in a low-order manner amenable to the Phase II signal processing algorithm design. Ultimately, the Phase II objective is to utilize the model developed in Phase I to remove the WTC signature from the data without affecting the delicate response of much lower RCS moving targets such as aircraft. Matrix Research will develop a model that sufficiently characterizes the physics of the clutter yet is simple enough to allow for practical implementation within real-time airborne-target detection algorithm. BENEFIT: The model developed in this effort, along with its associated clutter-mitigation algorithm, will provide a revolutionary new capability for improving detection performance of both existing and future radar assets. This capability is an enabler for a wide range of radar technologies in various business sectors such as defense (e.g., early warning radar), air traffic control, and weather prediction.