Experimental verification of target shadow parameter estimation in GPS FSR

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the power budget and calculate signal to noise ratio (SNR) and radar cross section (RCS) for different ground targets using a forward scattering radar (FSR) system, which consists of a transmitter mounted on a satellite of GPS and a receiver located on the Earth's surface. The FSR is a specific bistatic radar system where the bistatic angle is near 180o, and the target is located near the transmitter-receiver baseline. Theoretical and numerical calculations of SNR and RCS are presented for different ground targets when the GPS L1 signal is transmitted by satellites. The SNR and RCS are also estimated by using real records of the GPS signal shadows from different targets. The obtained numerical and experimental results are analyzed and discussed.