Accelerating rocket detection using passive bistatic radar

The paper focuses on problem of detection of an agile target - a rocket, using passive radar. The main problem under consideration is improvement of detection capabilities of the radar by extending the integration time. As the target has small radar cross-section, any increase in signal-to-noise ratio is desirable. This can be achieved by extending the integration time used in the calculation of the crossambiguity function. This, however, is limited by the simplified model of target echo used in classical crossambiguity function and its mismatch with the actual target motion. The rocket observed by the radar accelerates very fast, which leads to the so-called velocity cell migration phenomenon, which limits the possible signal-to-noise ratio increase. In the paper extended crossambiguity function taking into account target acceleration is considered. The results of the algorithm are presented on data from DVB-T-based passive radar used for detection of a one-stage supersonic rocket.