Studies of Target Detection Algorithms Which Use Polarimetric Radar Data

Abstract

This reprint considers the use of polarimetric radar information in the detection and discrimination of targets embedded in a ground clutter background. A frequency diverse radar such as the HOWLS radar is adopted as a baseline. The basic radar resolution is assumed to be on the order of the size of a typical target (10 m by 10 m). We assume the frequency diverse radar has a fully polarimetric measurement capability. To measure the full polarization scattering matrix (PSM), the radar transmits two orthogonal linear polarizations at each frequency. First, horizontal polarization is transmitted and the radar receives two linear orthogonal components (denoted HH and HV). Next, vertical polarization is transmitted and the radar receives the VV and VH returns. By reciprocity, we assume VH=HV and thus the HH, HV, and VV returns comprise the total information contained in the polarization scattering matrix. Frequency diversity is used to obtain successively independent scattering matrix measurements for multi-look polarimetric processing schemes. Keywords: Performance predictions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 1987
Accession Number
ADA202348

Entities

People

  • Leslie M. Novak
  • Michael B. Sechtin
  • Michele J. Cardullo

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Aspect Angle
  • Clutter
  • Databases
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • False Alarms
  • Frequency Diversity
  • Ground Clutter
  • Linear Polarization
  • Matched Filters
  • Probability
  • Random Variables
  • Scattering
  • Statistics
  • Target Detection
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Radar Systems Engineering.