Dual-polarization DVB-T passive radar: Experimental results

The present work is going to investigate the potential benefits obtainable by taking advantage of the polarization diversity in a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) system exploiting Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) signals. In particular, a PBR demonstrator equipped with a surveillance array antenna able of simultaneously receiving both horizontal and vertical polarizations has been used to experimentally assess the radar performances as a function of the received polarization. The results obtained in a maritime scenario show a different target Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) variation as a function of the surveillance channel receiving polarization. Therefore, the availability of receiving both Horizontal (H) and Vertical (V) polarizations might improve the target detection performance if a suitable method of combining the signals received at different polarization is adopted.