Receiver architecture for multi-standard based Passive Bistatic Radar

In this paper a receiver architecture for a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) based on multiple broadcast signals is described. Specific receiver sections are foreseen for each selected waveform of opportunity, while a common part of the system performs the I&Q demodulation and the Analog-to-Digital conversion. The scheme for a double conversion (up-conversion stage from Radio Frequency to Intermediate Frequency and down-conversion from IF to Base Band) of the received signals is introduced for PBR applications. This allows to remove the image frequency even in the wide bandwidth occupied by the digital TV signals. A prototype of the proposed concept has been developed and fielded, with proper laboratory tests and real data acquisition campaigns, at DIET Dept. of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. The results obtained with the receiver, in two possible configurations, are reported and discussed: FM-based PBR (for medium/long-range air targets surveillance) and WiFi-based PBR (for short-range human target localization).