Sensor Data Fusion

The goal of this project is to optimize and validate sensor fusion algorithms for the ballistic missile discrimination mission. These algorithms will take data from multiple radars viewing the exo-atmospheric scene from different angles to form two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. The algorithms will consider (1) the coherent processing of multiple monostatic radars and (2) the coherent processing of the data from these radars operating in simultaneous monostatic and bistatic modes. Multistatic radars using simultaneous orthogonal waveforms have a number of independent sources of information (the various monostatic and bistatic returns from the orthogonal waveforms). This data can be employed to provide improved discrimination capability. A ‘rooftop?experiment, viewing a rotating target, will be used in the validation of these algorithms. Note that ISAR imaging of rotating targets is mathematically equivalent to imaging of moving targets ( the objective of the missile defense mission). Existing experimental radars will be used for this experiment. Extension of the algorithms to multiple band radar operation will be investigated.