An MMW Imaging System for Multipath Reduction in Ground-to-Ground Fire-Control Environments

A system is proposed which can provide coarse/passive and fine/active imaging in a staring mode at 95 GHz (W-Band) for the purpose of defeating multipath effects in ground-to-ground fire-control systems. The system makes use of efficient focal-plane scanning and modern digital baseband processing, having the potential for a wide range of target recognition, tracking, guidance, and other intelligence gathering functions. Multipath effects are suppressed through an electronically steered radiation pattern with dual nulls and novel signal processing algorithms. This approach effectively allows for rejection of the indirect signal and permits elevation tracking of the direct-path signal only. The leap-ahead technology behind these concepts is based on extensive background at UBC Inc. in two-plane, dual-polarized monopulse tracking systems. The proposed Phase I effort will focus on adapting related developments from existing UBC programs to the ground-to-ground scenario, leading to a preliminary system design. It will also include verification through analytical techniques of the ability to resolve representative targets of interest in this critical environment.