Acceleration compensation by matched filtering

Abstract

High radar sensitivities are required in the detection of small cross section targets or in ECM environments. An effective way of improving the radar sensitivity is to use long coherent integration times. Results of the work to be presented include studies of target decorrelation using actual magnitude/phase flight test data from aircraft and the resolution of the "filter fly-through" problem due to translational acceleration. The acceleration compensation technique described in this radar generates matched filters that compensate for each acceleration. The matched filters optimize the signal-to-noise ratio by weighting and combining the Doppler filters over which the target is spreading. Both coherent and non-coherent matched filters can be formed. This provides direct and precise measurement of target acceleration for enhanced detection and tracking of maneuvering targets.