A Novel STAP Algorithm for Airborne MIMO Radar Based on Temporally Correlated Multiple Sparse Bayesian Learning

In a heterogeneous environment, to efficiently suppress clutter with only one snapshot, a novel STAP algorithm for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar based on sparse representation, referred to as MIMOSR-STAP in this paper, is presented. By exploiting the waveform diversity of MIMO radar, each snapshot at the tested range cell can be transformed into multisnapshots for the phased array radar, which can estimate the high-resolution space-time spectrum by using multiple measurement vectors (MMV) technique. The proposed approach is effective in estimating the spectrum by utilizing Temporally Correlated Multiple Sparse Bayesian Learning (TMSBL). In the sequel, the clutter covariance matrix (CCM) and the corresponding adaptive weight vector can be efficiently obtained. MIMOSR-STAP enjoys high accuracy and robustness so that it can achieve better performance of output signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio (SCNR) and minimum detectable velocity (MDV) than the single measurement vector sparse representation methods in the literature. Thus, MIMOSR-STAP can deal with badly inhomogeneous clutter scenario more effectively, especially suitable for insufficient independent and identically distributed (IID) samples environment

An Approach to Ground Moving Target Indication Using Multiple Resolutions of Multilook Synthetic Aperture Radar Images

Ground moving target indication (GMTI) using multiple resolutions of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to estimate the clutter scattering statistics is shown to outperform conventional sample matrix inversion space-time adaptive processing GMTI techniques when jamming is not present. A SAR image provides an estimate of scattering from nonmoving targets in the form of a clutter scattering covariance matrix for the GMTI optimum processor. Since the homogeneity of the scattering statistics are unknown, using SAR images at multiple spatial resolutions to estimate the clutter scattering statistics results in more confidence in the final detection decision. Two approaches to calculating the multiple SAR resolutions are investigated. Multiple resolution filter bank smoothing of the full-resolution SAR image is shown to outperform an innovative approach to multilook SAR imaging. The multilook SAR images are calculated from a single measurement vector partitioned base on synthetic sensor locations determined via eigenanalysis of the radar measurement parameters

Sparsity driven ground moving target indication in synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was first invented in the early 1950s as the remote surveillance instruments to produce high resolution 2D images of the illuminated scene with weather-independent, day-or-night performance. Compared to the Real Aperture Radar (RAR), SAR is synthesising a large virtual aperture by moving a small antenna along the platform path. Typical SAR imaging systems are designed with the basic assumption of a static scene, and moving targets are widely known to induce displacements and defocusing in the formed images. While the capabilities of detection, states estimation and imaging for moving targets with SAR are highly desired in both civilian and military applications, the Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) techniques can be integrated into SAR systems to realise these challenging missions. The state-of-the- art SAR-based GMTI is often associated with multi-channel systems to improve the detection capabilities compared to the single-channel ones. Motivated by the fact that the SAR imaging is essentially solving an optimisation problem, we investigate the practicality to reformulate the GMTI process into the optimisation form. Furthermore, the moving target sparsities and underlying similarities between the conventional GMTI processing and sparse reconstruction algorithms drive us to consider the compressed sensing theory in SAR/GMTI applications. This thesis aims to establish an end-to-end SAR/GMTI processing framework regularised by target sparsities based on multi-channel SAR models. We have explained the mathematical model of the SAR system and its key properties in details. The common GMTI mechanism and basics of the compressed sensing theory are also introduced in this thesis. The practical implementation of the proposed framework is provided in this work. The developed model is capable of realising various SAR/GMTI tasks including SAR image formation, moving target detection, target state estimation and moving target imaging. We also consider two essential components, i.e. the data pre-processing and elevation map, in this work. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated through both simulations and real data. Given that our focus in this thesis is on the development of a complete sparsity-aided SAR/GMTI framework, the contributions of this thesis can be summarised as follows. First, the effects of SAR channel balancing techniques and elevation information in SAR/GMTI applications are analysed in details. We have adapted these essential components to the developed framework for data pre-processing, system specification estimation and better SAR/GMTI accuracies. Although the purpose is on enhancing the proposed sparsity-based SAR/GMTI framework, the exploitation of the DEM in other SAR/GMTI algorithms may be of independent interest. Secondly, we have designed a novel sparsity-aided framework which integrates the SAR/GMTI missions, i.e. SAR imaging, moving target and background decomposition, and target state estimation, into optimisation problems. A practical implementation of the proposed framework with a two stage process and theoretically/experimentally proven algorithms are proposed in this work. The key novelty on utilising optimisations and target sparsities is explained in details. Finally, a practical algorithm for moving target imaging and state estimation is developed to accurately estimate the full target parameters and form target images with relocation and refocusing capabilities. Compared to the previous processing steps for practical applications, the designed algorithm consistently relies on the exploitation of target sparsities which forms the final processing stage of the whole pipeline. All the developed components contribute coherently to establish a complete sparsity driven SAR/GMTI processing framework

An Approximate Regularized ML Approach to Censor Outliers in Gaussian Radar Data

This paper considers the problem of censoring outliers from the secondary dataset in a radar scenario where the sample support is limited. To this end, the generalized regularized likelihood function (GRLF) criterion is used and the corresponding regularized maximum likelihood (RML) estimate of the outlier subset is derived. Since the exact RML estimate involves the solution of a combinatorial optimization problem, a reduced complexity but approximate RML (ARML) procedure is also designed. As to the selection of the regularization parameter, both the expected likelihood (EL) principle and the cross-validation (CV) technique are exploited. At the analysis stage, the performance of the RML and ARML procedure is evaluated based on simulated data in comparison with some previously proposed methods. The results highlight that the RML and ARML algorithm achieves, in general, a satisfactory performance level whereas the previously proposed techniques often experience some performance degradation when the volume of training data is dramatically limited

Digital Signal Processor Based Real-Time Phased Array Radar Backend System and Optimization Algorithms

This dissertation presents an implementation of multifunctional large-scale phased array radar based on the scalable DSP platform. The challenge of building large-scale phased array radar backend is how to address the compute-intensive operations and high data throughput requirement in both front-end and backend in real-time. In most of the applications, FPGA or VLSI hardware are typically used to solve those difficulties. However, with the help of the fast development of IC industry, using a parallel set of high-performing programmable chips can be an alternative. We present a hybrid high-performance backend system by using DSP as the core computing device and MTCA as the system frame. Thus, the mapping techniques for the front and backend signal processing algorithm based on DSP are discussed in depth. Beside high-efficiency computing device, the system architecture would be a major factor influencing the reliability and performance of the backend system. The reliability requires the system must incorporate the redundancy both in hardware and software. In this dissertation, we propose a parallel modular system based on MTCA chassis, which can be reliable, scalable, and fault-tolerant. Finally, we present an example of high performance phased array radar backend, in which there is the number of 220 DSPs, achieving 7000 GFLOPS calculation from 768 channels. This example shows the potential of using the combination of DSP and MTCA as the computing platform for the future multi-functional large-scale phased array radar