Overview of radar detection methods for low altitude targets in marine environments

In this paper,a comprehensive overview of radar detection methods for low-altitude targets in maritime environments is presented,focusing on the challenges posed by sea clutter and multipath scattering.The performance of the radar detection methods under sea clutter,multipath,and combined conditions is categorized and summarized,and future research directions are outlined to enhance radar detection performance for low-altitude targets in maritime environments.

Sequential quadratic programming-based non-cooperative target distributed hybrid processing optimization method

The distributed hybrid processing optimization problem of non-cooperative targets is an important research direction for future networked air-defense and anti-missile firepower systems. In this paper, the air-defense anti-missile targets defense problem is abstracted as a nonconvex constrained combinatorial optimization problem with the optimization objective of maximizing the degree of contribution of the processing scheme to non-cooperative targets, and the constraints mainly consider geographical conditions and anti-missile equipment resources. The grid discretization concept is used to partition the defense area into network nodes, and the overall defense strategy scheme is described as a nonlinear programming problem to solve the minimum defense cost within the maximum defense capability of the defense system network. In the solution of the minimum defense cost problem, the processing scheme, equipment coverage capability, constraints and node cost requirements are characterized, then a nonlinear mathematical model of the non-cooperative target distributed hybrid processing optimization problem is established, and a local optimal solution based on the sequential quadratic programming algorithm is constructed, and the optimal firepower processing scheme is given by using the sequential quadratic programming method containing non-convex quadratic equations and inequality constraints. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation examples.

Depolarization Degree to Determine Dihedral Attribute of Radar Target

This paper investigates the ability of the depolarization degree, derived from the characteristic polarization states at the resonant frequency set, to identify corner or swept, i.e. dihedral, changes in same-class targets by a metallic wire example. A well-estimated depolarization degree requires a robust extraction of the fundamental target resonance set in two orthogonal sets of fully co-polarized and cross-polarized polarization channels, then finding the null polarization states using the Lagrangian method. Such depolarization degree per resonance mode has the potential to form a robust feature set because it is relatively less sensitive to onset ambiguity, invariant to rotation, and could create a compact, recognizable, and separable distribution in the proposed feature space. The study was limited to two targets with two swept changes of fifteen degrees within normal incidence;under a supervised learning approach, the results showed that the identification rate converging to upper-bound (100%) for a signal-to-noise ratio above 20 dB and lower-bound around (50%) below −10 dB.

Passive Target Tracking in Non-cooperative Radar System Based on Particle Filtering

We propose a target tracking method based on particle filtering(PF) to solve the nonlinear non-Gaussian target-tracking problem in the bistatic radar systems using external radiation sources. Traditional nonlinear state estimation method is extended Kalman filtering (EKF), which is to do the first level Taylor series extension. It will cause an inaccuracy or even a scatter estimation result on condition that there is either a highly nonlinear target or a large noise square-error. Besides, Kalman filtering is the optimal resolution under a Gaussian noise assumption, and is not suitable to the non-Gaussian condition. PF is a sort of statistic filtering based on Monte Carlo simulation that is using some random samples (particles) to simulate the posterior probability density of system random variables. This method can be used in any nonlinear random system. It can be concluded through simulation that PF can achieve higher accuracy than the traditional EKF.

Deep convolutional neural network for meteorology target detection in airborne weather radar images

Considering the problem that the scattering echo images of airborne Doppler weather radar are often reduced by ground clutters,the accuracy and confidence of meteorology target detection are reduced.In this paper,a deep convolutional neural network(DCNN)is proposed for meteorology target detection and ground clutter suppression with a large collection of airborne weather radar images as network input.For each weather radar image,the corresponding digital elevation model(DEM)image is extracted on basis of the radar antenna scan-ning parameters and plane position,and is further fed to the net-work as a supplement for ground clutter suppression.The fea-tures of actual meteorology targets are learned in each bottle-neck module of the proposed network and convolved into deeper iterations in the forward propagation process.Then the network parameters are updated by the back propagation itera-tion of the training error.Experimental results on the real mea-sured images show that our proposed DCNN outperforms the counterparts in terms of six evaluation factors.Meanwhile,the network outputs are in good agreement with the expected mete-orology detection results(labels).It is demonstrated that the pro-posed network would have a promising meteorology observa-tion application with minimal effort on network variables or parameter changes.

Impedance control of multi-arm space robot for the capture of non-cooperative targets

Robotic systems are expected to play an increasingly important role in future space activities. The robotic on-orbital service, whose key is the capturing technology, becomes a research hot spot in recent years. This paper studies the dynamics modeling and impedance control of a multi-arm free-flying space robotic system capturing a non-cooperative target. Firstly, a control-oriented dynamics model is essential in control algorithm design and code realization. Unlike a numerical algorithm, an analytical approach is suggested. Using a general and a quasi-coordinate Lagrangian formulation, the kinematics and dynamics equations are derived.Then, an impedance control algorithm is developed which allows coordinated control of the multiple manipulators to capture a target.Through enforcing a reference impedance, end-effectors behave like a mass-damper-spring system fixed in inertial space in reaction to any contact force between the capture hands and the target. Meanwhile, the position and the attitude of the base are maintained stably by using gas jet thrusters to work against the manipulators' reaction. Finally, a simulation by using a space robot with two manipulators and a free-floating non-cooperative target is illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Robust dual-channel correlation algorithm for complex weak target detection with wideband radar

In the scene of wideband radar,due to the spread of target scattering points,the attitude and angle of view of the target constantly change in the process of moving.It is difficult to predict,and the actual echo of multiple scattered points is not fully matched with the transmitted signal.Therefore,it is challenging for the traditional matching filter method to achieve a complete matching effect in wideband echo detection.In addition,the energy dispersion of complex target echoes is still a problem in radar target detection under broadband conditions.Therefore,this paper proposes a wideband target detection method based on dualchannel correlation processing of range-extended targets.This method fully uses the spatial distribution characteristics of target scattering points of echo signal and the matching characteristics of the dual-channel point extension function itself.The radial accumulation of wideband target echo signal in the complex domain is realized through the adaptive correlation processing of a dual-channel echo signal.The accu-mulation effect of high matching degree is achieved to improve the detection probability and the performance of wideband detection.Finally,electromagnetic simulation experiments and measured data verify that the proposed method has the advan-tages of high signal to noise ratio(SNR)gain and high detection probability under low SNR conditions.

Design of a Non-cooperative Target Capture Mechanism

A passive compliant non-cooperative target capture mechanism is designed to maintain the non-cooperative target on-orbit. When the relative position between capture mechanism and satellite is confirmed,a pair of four-bar linkages lock the docking ring,which is used for connecting the satellite and the rocket. The mathematical model of capture mechanism and capture space is built by the Denavit-Hartenberg(D-H)method,and the torque of each joint is analyzed by the Lagrange dynamic equation. Besides,the capture condition and the torque of every joint under different capture conditions are analyzed by simulation in MSC. Adams. The results indicate that the mechanism can capture the non-cooperative target satellite in a wide range. During the process of capture,the passive compliant mechanism at the bottom can increase capture space,thereby reducing the difficulty and enhance stability of the capture.

Joint target assignment and power allocation in the netted C-MIMO radar when tracking multi-targets in the presence of self-defense blanket jamming

The netted radar system(NRS)has been proved to possess unique advantages in anti-jamming and improving target tracking performance.Effective resource management can greatly ensure the combat capability of the NRS.In this paper,based on the netted collocated multiple input multiple output(CMIMO)radar,an effective joint target assignment and power allocation(JTAPA)strategy for tracking multi-targets under self-defense blanket jamming is proposed.An architecture based on the distributed fusion is used in the radar network to estimate target state parameters.By deriving the predicted conditional Cramer-Rao lower bound(PC-CRLB)based on the obtained state estimation information,the objective function is formulated.To maximize the worst case tracking accuracy,the proposed JTAPA strategy implements an online target assignment and power allocation of all active nodes,subject to some resource constraints.Since the formulated JTAPA is non-convex,we propose an efficient two-step solution strategy.In terms of the simulation results,the proposed algorithm can effectively improve tracking performance in the worst case.

A spawning particle filter for defocused moving target detection in GNSS-based passive radar

Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)-based passive radar(GBPR)has been widely used in remote sensing applications.However,for moving target detection(MTD),the quadratic phase error(QPE)introduced by the non-cooperative target motion is usually difficult to be compensated,as the low power level of the GBPR echo signal renders the estimation of the Doppler rate less effective.Consequently,the moving target in GBPR image is usually defocused,which aggravates the difficulty of target detection even further.In this paper,a spawning particle filter(SPF)is proposed for defocused MTD.Firstly,the measurement model and the likelihood ratio function(LRF)of the defocused point-like target image are deduced.Then,a spawning particle set is generated for subsequent target detection,with reference to traditional particles in particle filter(PF)as their parent.After that,based on the PF estimator,the SPF algorithm and its sequential Monte Carlo(SMC)implementation are proposed with a novel amplitude estimation method to decrease the target state dimension.Finally,the effectiveness of the proposed SPF is demonstrated by numerical simulations and pre-liminary experimental results,showing that the target range and Doppler can be estimated accurately.

Design of a Flexible Capture Mechanism Inspired by Sea Anemone for Non-cooperative Targets

Robotic grippers have been used in industry as end-effectors but are usually limited to operations in pre-defined workspace.However,few devices can capture irregularly shaped dynamic targets in space,underwater and other unstructured environments.In this paper,a novel continuum arm group mechanism inspired by the morphology and motions of sea anemones is proposed.It is able to dissipate and absorb the kinetic energy of a fast moving target in omni-direction and utilize multiple arms to wrap and lock the target without accurate positioning control.Wire-driven actuation systems are implemented in the individual continuum arms,achieving both bending motion and stiffness regulation.Through finite element method,the influence of different configurations of the continuum arm group on the capture performance is analyzed.A robotic prototype is constructed and tested,showing the presented arm group mechanism has high adaptability to capture targets with different sizes,shapes,and incident angles.

Non-cooperative target pose estimation based on improved iterative closest point algorithm

For localisation of unknown non-cooperative targets in space,the existence of interference points causes inaccuracy of pose estimation while utilizing point cloud registration.To address this issue,this paper proposes a new iterative closest point(ICP)algorithm combined with distributed weights to intensify the dependability and robustness of the non-cooperative target localisation.As interference points in space have not yet been extensively studied,we classify them into two broad categories,far interference points and near interference points.For the former,the statistical outlier elimination algorithm is employed.For the latter,the Gaussian distributed weights,simultaneously valuing with the variation of the Euclidean distance from each point to the centroid,are commingled to the traditional ICP algorithm.In each iteration,the weight matrix W in connection with the overall localisation is obtained,and the singular value decomposition is adopted to accomplish high-precision estimation of the target pose.Finally,the experiments are implemented by shooting the satellite model and setting the position of interference points.The outcomes suggest that the proposed algorithm can effectively suppress interference points and enhance the accuracy of non-cooperative target pose estimation.When the interference point number reaches about 700,the average error of angle is superior to 0.88°.

Short-time maritime target detection based on polarization scattering characteristics

In this paper,a detection method combining Cameron decomposition based on polarization scattering characteristics in sea clutter background is proposed.Firstly,the Cameron decomposition is exploited to fuse the radar echoes of full polarization channels at the data level.Due to the artificial material structure on the surface of the target,it can be shown that the non-reciprocity of the target cell is stronger than that of the clutter cell.Then,based on the analysis of the decomposition results,a new feature with scattering geometry characteristics in polarization domain,denoted as Cameron polarization decomposition scattering weight(CPD-SW),is extracted as the test statistic,which can achieve more detailed descriptions of the clutter scattering characteristics utilizing the difference between their scattering types.Finally,the superiority of the proposed CPD-SW detector over traditional detectors in improving detection performance is verified by the IPIX measured dataset,which has strong stability under short-time observation in threshold detection and can also improve the separability of feature space zin anomaly detection.

A Method to Obtain the Moving Speed of Uncooperative Target Based on Only Two Measurements

The existing research results show that a fixed single station must conduct three consecutive frequency shift measurements and obtain the target’s moving speed by constructing two frequency difference equations. This article proposes a new method that requires only two consecutive measurements. While using the azimuth measurement to obtain the angular difference between two radial distances, it also conducts two consecutive Doppler frequency shift measurements at the same target azimuth. On the basis of this measurement, a frequency difference equation is first constructed and solved jointly with the Doppler frequency shift equation. By eliminating the velocity variable and using the measured angular difference to obtain the target’s lead angle, the target’s velocity can be solved by using the Doppler frequency shift equation again. The new method avoids the condition that the target must move equidistantly, which not only provides an achievable method for engineering applications but also lays a good foundation for further exploring the use of steady-state signals to achieve passive positioning.

Analytic optimal pose tracking control in close-range proximity operations with a non-cooperative target

This paper investigates an analytical optimal pose tracking control problem for chaser spacecraft during the close-range proximity operations with a non-cooperative space target subject to attitude tumbling and unknown orbital maneuvering.Firstly,the relative translational motion between the orbital target and the chaser spacecraft is described in the Line-of-Sight(LOS)coordinate frame along with attitude quaternion dynamics.Then,based on the coupled 6-Degree of Freedom(DOF)pose dynamic model,an analytical optimal control action consisting of constrained optimal control value,application time and its duration are proposed via exploring the iterative sequential action control algorithm.Meanwhile,the global closed-loop asymptotic stability of the proposed predictive control action is presented and discussed.Compared with traditional proximity control schemes,the highlighting advantages are that the application time and duration of the devised controller is applied discretely in light of the influence of the instantaneous pose configuration on the pose tracking performance with less energy consumptions rather than at each sample time.Finally,three groups of illustrative examples are organized to validate the effectiveness of the proposed analytical optimal pose tracking control scheme.

Target detection using CDMA based passive bistatic radar

Recently, the code division multiple access （CDMA） waveform exists in the large area across the world. However, when using the CDMA system as the illuminator of opportunity for the passive bistatic radar （PBR）, there exists interference not only from the base station used as the illuminator of opportunity but also from other base stations with the same frequency. And be cause in the CDMA system, the signal transmitted by each base station is different, using the direct signal of one base station can not cancel the interference from other base stations. A CDMA based PBR using an element linear array antenna as both the reference antenna and surveillance antenna is introduced. To deal with the interference in this PBR system, an adaptive temporal cancellation algorithm is used to remove the interference from the base station used as the illuminator of opportunity firstly. And then a robust adaptive beamformer is used to suppress the interference from other base stations. Finally, the preliminary experiment re sults demonstrate the feasibility of using CDMA signals as a radar waveform.

Multiple-target tracking with adaptive sampling intervals for phased-array radar

A novel adaptive sampling interval algorithm for multitarget tracking is presented. This algorithm which is based on interacting multiple models incorporates the grey relational grade （GRG） into the particle swarm optimization （PSO）. Firstly, the desired tracking accuracy is set for each target. Secondly, sampling intervals are selected as particles, and then the advantage of the GRG is taken as the measurement function for resource management. Meanwhile, the fitness value of the PSO is used to measure the difference between desired tracking accuracy and estimated tracking accuracy. Finally, it is suggested that the radar should track the target whose prediction value of the next sampling interval is the smallest. Simulations show that the proposed method improves both the tracking accuracy and tracking efficiency of the phased-array radar.

SVD-TLS extending Prony algorithm for extracting UWB radar target feature

A new method, SVD-TLS extending Prony algorithm, is introduced for extracting UWB radar target features. The method is a modified classical Prony method based on singular value decomposition and total least squares that can improve robust for spectrum estimation. Simulation results show that poles and residuum of target echo can be extracted effectively using this method, and at the same time, random noises can be restrained to some degree. It is applicable for target feature extraction such as UWB radar or other high resolution range radars.

A New RCS Statistical Model of Radar Target

In this paper, the drawbacks of conventional target fluctuation models used in radar target modeling are set out. It is usually difficult to statistically model a real target because there are very few parameters which can be used to approximate the probability density function (PDF) of a real target's radar cross section (RCS) in conventional target models. A new method of statistical modeling is suggested, according to which the first nth central moment of real target's RCS, combined with the Legendre orthogonal polynomials, is used to reconstruct the PDF of the target's RCS. The relationship between the coefficients of the Legendre polynomials and the central moments of RCS are deduced mathematically. Through a practical computing example, the error-of-fit is shown as a function of the orders of Legendre coefficients. By comparing the errors-of-fit caused by both the new model and the conventional models, it is concluded that the new nonparametric method for statistical modeling of radar targets is superior.

Method of moving target detection based on sub-image cancellation for single-antenna airborne synthetic aperture radar

The method of moving target detection based on subimage cancellation for single-antenna airborne SAR is presented. First the subimage is obtained through frequency processing is pointed out. The imaging difference of a stationary objects and moving object in the subimage based on the frequency division is analyzed from the fundamental principle. Then the developed method combines the shear averaging algorithm to focus on the moving target in the subimage, after the clutter suppression and the focusing position in each subimage is obtained. Next the observation model and the relative movement of the moving targets between the subimages estimate the moving targets. The theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the method is effective and can not only detect the moving targets, but also estimate their motion parameters precisely.