Performance Comparison of RADARSAT-2 Advanced Moving Object Detection Experiment Modes

Abstract : It has been recognized that a two-aperture approach to ground moving target indication is sub-optimum and that target parameter estimation is often compromised by clutter interference or poor signal-to-clutter ratios. This paper investigates the Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) performance of several virtual channel concepts proposed for the RADARSAT-2 Moving Object Detection EXperiment (MODEX). These are capable of increasing the spatial diversity of RADARSAT-2 by exploiting its very flexible antenna programming capabilities and allowing the two-channel SAR system to operate like a three or four channel radar. A high fidelity Space-Based Radar Moving Target Indication Simulator (SBRMTISIM) is used to generate virtual channel raw GMTI data for analysis. Moving targets are detected using a combination of the Factored Space-Time Adaptive Processing (Factored STAP) and the Cell-Averaging Constant False Alarm Rate (CA-CFAR) detector. The detection performances of virtual multichannel MODEX modes are analyzed and compared with each other and with those of true or fictitious multichannel space-based radar systems.