Adaptive processing with frequency diverse distributed apertures

Abstract

This paper extends a model for a frequency diverse distributed radar array. The system consists of a sparse antenna array with each element transmitting a unique carrier frequency. Delays are used to focus the array. Due to carrier orthogonality, frequencies are processed independently with Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) and later combined. Simulation results illustrate that target resolution is possible on the array's perpendicular axis. However, challenges involving covariance matrix estimation, grating lobes and cross-carrier coherence are revealed. This model will serve as a framework for future work on distributed waveform diverse arrays.