An adaptive MTI filter for coherent radar. A real-time algorithm for attenuation of both stationary and non-stationary radar clutter

This paper presents an adaptive MTI filter with improved performance in non-stationary clutter environment. Non-stationary clutter processes are characterised by space/time dependent statistics. An estimator for the pulse to pulse amplitude variations of the clutter process is therefore introduced. This estimator is then implemented in the adaptive MTI filter, for the purpose of adapting the filter to the non-stationary behaviour of the clutter process. Results of applying this adaptive MTI filter on real radar data demonstrates that the filter gives an extensive reduction of clutter detections in the radar image.