High Range Resolution Radar for Flightline Boundary Surveillance

ABSTRACT: Propagation Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) teamed with FLIR (previously ICx) proposes to leverage the work performed under a previous Phase II contract that involved clutter mitigation for ground based ground moving target radars. PRA plans to integrate automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms developed on the previous contract into the R-4400 commercial-off-the-shelf high range resolution radar (HRR) developed by FLIR (ICx). The proposed radar has a range resolution of 0.3 m (1 foot) that will be used to define flightline boundaries for intrusion alert and can detect targets at ranges from 300 m to 4.4 km. In Phase I, PRA proposes to iterate the modifications designed under the previous Phase II contract to improve system coherency, design the modifications to the automatic target recognition algorithms to included targets typically found in flightline operations, design the modifications to the detection and alert software to allow user defined boundaries and access points as well as suppressing alerts on targets within the boundary and based upon direction of travel (targets entering restricted areas will initiate an alert and targets leaving will not). With the automatic target recognition algorithms, the suspected target type will be identified and integrated into the alert notification. BENEFIT: PRA is proposing a modified high range resolution radar system for flightline boundary surveillance that can perform target classification. The completion of Phase I will result in a hardware modification design to currently fielded COTS perimeter surveillance radars providing value added Doppler capabilities for automatic target recognition algorithms. In addition, an iteration on the ATR algorithms introducing target classes associated with targets found on the flightline will provide real-time assessment of the intruder when detected. These hardware and algorithm designs will be ready for implementation in Phase II. For Phase II, PRA proposes a limited production run of the modified hardware circuitry, the implementation of the software modifications, and a field demonstration of the proposed system. In particular, PRA and FLIR will fully integrate the PRA processor in the loop (PIL). Currently the processor resides in an external personal computer mounted on a platform on the rear of the radar trailer. This configuration limits the surveillance region of the modified radar and has required the development and implementation of a"staring mode", the radar points in a particular direction towards the target and collects data on the target. Integration of the PRA PIL into the embedded processor mounted with the antenna will step the modified system to full market capability. In Phase III, PRA and FLIR will design and implement a hardware and software upgrade option for potential Government and commercial customers that will identify specific boundary regions of interest for intruder identification. PRA believes that the collaboration with FLIR will produce a cost-effective radar that can be fielded in a relatively short time frame and is capable of both high range and Doppler resolution to achieve enhanced identification and clutter mitigation using the PRA processor. Perimeter surveillance and anti-personnel surveillance sensor systems have application in base and border security by identifying and characterizing possible threats before they become an issue and alerting personnel when a threat becomes an issue. Minimization of the impact of clutter signals as well as automatic target recognition (ATR) processing is critical to provide the best detection and characterization of intrusions. This work supports and enhances the ongoing research program at PRA in these very areas and can lead into the development of new and innovative techniques for clutter mitigation (adaptive processing for non-array systems), new features to exploit for target characterization, and new methods to accelerate ATR processing, providing target characteristics and types faster and more accurately to security personnel.