Multi-Channel Space-Time Adaptive Processing Technology

Because the ability to accurately and reliably determine moving targets is very important in all automatic target recognition (ATR) applications, the Air Force is seeking innovative air target sensor and signal processing techniques. Unfortunately, previous research activities in multi-channel and space-time adaptive processing (STAP) techniques for the ATR of moving air targets, with in-motion platforms, have failed to produce good results. To overcome these problems, Broadata Communications, Inc. (BCI) proposes to design and develop an innovative Multi-channel Space-Time Adaptive Processing (M-STAP) technology for air target ATR applications. BCI’s solution uses an innovative combination of signal transformation and detection algorithms. A unique transformation is applied to the received data in order to convert a recognition problem into a coordinate system solution. The transformation is to enable application of intelligent space-time detection algorithms in the transformed space, where the algorithm can operate with reduced complexity and with minimal no loss of optimality. The transformation and algorithms are designed together to obtain highly reliable recognition results. BCI’s goal is to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the M-STAP approach for the Air Force’s air-to-air automatic target recognition applications. In Phase II, a working demonstration model will be developed.