Real-Time Dismount Detection and Tracking Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) System

There is a current Air Force need to research, develop and implement airborne Circular SAR (CSAR) based algorithms for real-time detection and tracking of dismounts with potentially nonlinear and unpredictable motion in a heavy clutter environment. In practical urban operating conditions, the dismounts are expected to appear in SAR with multiple nonlinear Doppler signatures, which cannot be represented via simple models employed by many current studies. In addition, the dismount signatures tend to be overwhelmed by strong clutter which need to be addressed. The Phase-I objective is to develop a radar system concept and necessary signal processing algorithms for real-time dismount detection and tracking system to enhance the capability of current radar based surveillance systems. The proposed research will focus on laying the groundwork for a practical CSAR radar system design by studying many of the fundamental design parameters, including the operating radar frequency band, the separation of the transmitter and receivers, the operational distance, the integration (azimuth) and elevation angles, and determining optimal image generation frequencies. Real-time data processing requirements would also be considered to make detection and tracking of dismounts practically feasible. BENEFIT: A successful Phase I effort will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach for the development of a robust Detection and Identification of dismounts in urban clutter environment using high-BW, high-resolution C-SAR, although many of the algorithms and concepts are equally applicable to other potential targets. The resulting design and trade analysis will provide the foundation for implementing the necessary algorithms for the desired real-time Detect/ID tasks for a variety of DOD and civilian applications. We expect there are two approaches to commercializing the development of this technology. First, there is the direct military application of Detect/ID/tracking of dismounts including potential terrorists that harm our interests. If effective, this technology will be critical for the Air Force and the other services. We plan to first develop the technology to maturity under Phase I and Phase II SBIR efforts. Once this has been done, we plan to market the technology to military programs, operations analysts, and large systems integrators who build radar systems with dismount Detect/ID capability, as required in some recent conflicts. The marketing presentation will make use of the algorithms and performance trade-off analysis conducted under these SBIR efforts. A part of this strategy is to have the matured capability inserted in a simulation exercise, such as those performed at Joint Forces Command, so that the potential of the proposed study can be demonstrated to many of the decision-makers that witness these exercises. The second approach to commercializing this technology is to apply it to other applications in the military world or in the civilian marketplace. Potential civilian applications include drug enforcement, and border control. Military applications include surveillance of the battle space in Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C-ISR). Homeland Security applications include border intrusion control and Counter-terrorist threat activities in the civilian sector as well as support of counter-drug operations.