Target detection in high clutter using passive bistatic WiFi radar

Abstract

The rapid rollout of wireless local area networks (WLANs) has provided a ubiquitous source of signal transmissions that may be exploited for surveillance applications using passive bistatic radar (PBR) and passive multistatic radar (PMR) systems. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to examine the feasibility of using IEEE 802.11 wireless fidelity (WiFi) transmissions for detecting uncooperative targets in high clutter indoor environments. The range and Doppler characteristics of the system were also assessed theoretically from an ambiguity function analysis on WiFi signals having similar transmission parameters. Through-wall detections of personnel targets moving at differing velocities within an indoor environment are presented for the first time. The work demonstrates the feasibility for developing a low cost surveillance device that utilises WiFi networks as transmitters of opportunity.