2 research outputs found
Cognitive radar network design and applications
PhD ThesisIn recent years, several emerging technologies in modern radar system
design are attracting the attention of radar researchers and practitioners
alike, noteworthy among which are multiple-input multiple-output
(MIMO), ultra wideband (UWB) and joint communication-radar technologies.
This thesis, in particular focuses upon a cognitive approach
to design these modern radars. In the existing literature, these technologies
have been implemented on a traditional platform in which the
transmitter and receiver subsystems are discrete and do not exchange
vital radar scene information. Although such radar architectures benefit
from these mentioned technological advances, their performance remains
sub-optimal due to the lack of exchange of dynamic radar scene
information between the subsystems. Consequently, such systems are
not capable to adapt their operational parameters “on the fly”, which
is in accordance with the dynamic radar environment. This thesis explores
the research gap of evaluating cognitive mechanisms, which could
enable modern radars to adapt their operational parameters like waveform,
power and spectrum by continually learning about the radar scene
through constant interactions with the environment and exchanging this
information between the radar transmitter and receiver. The cognitive
feedback between the receiver and transmitter subsystems is the facilitator
of intelligence for this type of architecture.
In this thesis, the cognitive architecture is fused together with modern
radar systems like MIMO, UWB and joint communication-radar designs
to achieve significant performance improvement in terms of target parameter
extraction. Specifically, in the context of MIMO radar, a novel
cognitive waveform optimization approach has been developed which facilitates
enhanced target signature extraction. In terms of UWB radar
system design, a novel cognitive illumination and target tracking algorithm
for target parameter extraction in indoor scenarios has been developed.
A cognitive system architecture and waveform design algorithm
has been proposed for joint communication-radar systems. This thesis
also explores the development of cognitive dynamic systems that allows
the fusion of cognitive radar and cognitive radio paradigms for optimal
resources allocation in wireless networks. In summary, the thesis provides
a theoretical framework for implementing cognitive mechanisms in
modern radar system design. Through such a novel approach, intelligent
illumination strategies could be devised, which enable the adaptation of
radar operational modes in accordance with the target scene variations
in real time. This leads to the development of radar systems which are
better aware of their surroundings and are able to quickly adapt to the
target scene variations in real time.Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne:
University of Greenwich