Ranging, detection and resolving in a multislope frequency modulated

Abstract

A maximum likelihood estimator and range-only-initialization target detection method employed to detect and resolve targets in a multislope linear frequency modulated waveform radar. The method resolves a large number of target returns without a large amount of signal processing and without creating a significant number of false alarms, or ghosts. The method simultaneously estimates range and doppler for each target. The method rejects undesired long-range targets that fold into target regions, and processes target regions of interest around a nearest target to reduce signal processing throughput requirements. Using a K out of N detection rule, the method detects targets that compete with mainlobe rain clutter, mainlobe ground clutter, and receiver leakage. The method simultaneously estimates target parameters and optimally resolves any number of targets. The method is limited only by the number of frequency modulation ranging slopes, the slope values, and the doppler filter resolution set by the radar waveform design. The method has the ability to process and detect extended targets.