Sensitivity Optimisation of Real-Time Adaptive Range-Doppler Processing in FM Passive Radar

This paper analyses the performance of adaptive processing algorithms, applied in the range-Doppler domain, for a frequency modulation (FM) based passive radar system, in terms of the processing efficiency, sensitivity and ultimately, detection performance. The algorithms are intended to be applied in a permanently installed passive-radar network and to this end, real-time signal processing considerations are also discussed. The processing methods are evaluated on a data set measured using the passive-radar network and the performance and shortcomings of each method are analysed. It is found that a hybrid Matching Pursuit (MP) method consistently produces the best results, while maintaining reasonable processing and memory requirements for the real-time processing chain. Using Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) resulted in highest overall probability of detection (Pd), 31 % higher (SNR increased by 11.8 dB) than a conventional matched filter.