WEAK target detection using dynamic programming TBD in CDMA based passive radar

Long time integration is of great importance in weak target detection in passive radar systems. When an integration time of seconds level is used, a migration of Doppler and range may take place during the process of matched filtering. This paper presents a novel approach named DPA-TBD to obtain target parameters by taking full advantage of the target migration information. DBT and TBD methods are briefly compared in principle. Then a detailed mathematic description of DPA-TBD is introduced. A model of CDMA based passive radar is established with a slow maneuvering moving target. Two methods, CA-CFAR and DPA-TBD, are applied to target detection, revealing that the latter totally overwhelms the former. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the validity of the theoretical analysis.