A radar network based W-ABORT approach to counteract deceptive ECM signals

Abstract

We propose a new approach to adaptive detection of coherent signals backscattered by possible point-like targets in the context of electronic warfare; in fact, the possible target signal is buried in thermal noise, clutter, noise-like interferers and, possibly, coherent (i.e., deceptive ECM) interferers. We assume a network of radars: for a given cell under test only a subset of the radars receives ECM signals. Training data containing thermal noise, clutter, and noise-like interferers are available. The problem at hand is solved resorting to a two-stage detection strategy: first, the subset of radars under ECM is estimated; then, a proper detection strategy resorting to W-ABORT based detectors for radars under ECM is implemented. The performance assessment shows that the proposed solution is effective in presence of ECM systems.