Long-Range Passive Surveillance in Anti-Access/Area-Denial Environments

Toyon will design and develop a software-only multistatic passive radar (MPR) system for the detection, tracking, and imaging of surface vessels from airborne platforms. The system will opportunistically use radio-frequency (RF) emission in the operational area, including signals from low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and marine radar systems that have high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals with low SNRs. The system will leverage low-SNR signal processing algorithms capable of detecting and localizing targets from signal power levels significantly below the noise floor. Additional processing gains will be achieved through the simultaneous use of multiple signals-of-opportunity and a multi-sensor fusion architecture. While a modern Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) is sufficient for processing the candidate signals, the system will capable of being hosted on existing processors on airborne military platforms. The Phase I design will be completed and validated during Phase II Base effort using both measured and simulated data. The prototype will be demonstrated during the Phase I Option.