MS thesis abstract - Marais, Karen

Author:	Marais, Karen
Degree:	Masters of Science
SERC #:	10-01
File type:	PDF, 1626 kB
Download file (opens in new window)

The Development and Analysis of Scanned Pattern Interferometric Radar

A method of performing space based GMTI using radar interferometric processing is presented. The algorithm, referred to as Scanned Pattern Interferometric Radar (SPIR), uses the high angular variability of a sparse array Point Spread Function (PSF) to collect sufficient data from the signal return that the clutter and targets can be separated without an a priori assumption of the clutter statistics. By deconvolving the PSF from the received signals the true ground scene is revealed. Performance of the algorithm is highly dependent on cluster design. Aperture placement in the cluster determines the (PSF). We show that minimum redundancy arrays are not appropriate for SPIR systems. An alternative design algorithm to select aperture placements that result in good SPIR performance is developed. Numerical solution of SPIR systems by conventional linear algebra techniques is not feasible since the system conditioning is poor. The CLEAN algorithm, developed in the astronomical interferometry field, delivers promising results. Although clutter amplitude is random in nature, its position and doppler shift are geometrically related. An adapted version of CLEAN that uses this information shows improved target recovery. Prior target information can be used to further improve detection of both existing and new targets.