Maneuvering Weak Target Detection Algorithm Based on Sub-Aperture Division and Hybrid Integration

Bistatic radar uses the scattered signal of the target to detect and locate the target. It requires long observation time to detect the moving target because the energy of maneuvering weak target is very low. But it is hard to ensure the signal coherence over long observation time. Aiming at the above problems, a maneuvering weak target detection algorithm based on sub-aperture division and hybrid integration is proposed. Specifically, by dividing the whole integration time to keep signal coherence in the sub-aperture, axis rotation (AR) -fractional Fourier transform (FRFT) algorithm is used to realize the coherent integration of target in each sub-aperture, and dynamic programming (DP) method is applied to perform the non-coherent integration between sub-apertures over long observation time. This method can effectively accumulate target energy and detect maneuvering weak target. Finally, the reliability of the proposed method is demonstrated by simulations.