Target detection using dynamically reconfigurable sensor arrays

The paper addresses the problem of target detection with multiple dynamically reconfigurable sensor arrays (DRSAs). The limited spatial coherence of the signal wavefront and dynamic nature of the interference seriously limit target detection performance. Traditional approaches to improve target detection include the use of large arrays with adaptive beamforming (ABF) or matched field processing (MFP) with static configurations. However, both these approaches suffer performance degradation in uncertain multipath environments when the training data is limited. We propose to improve the target detection performance by dynamically choosing the optimal orientation designed to maximize the array gain over a prescribed sector of bearing space for a DRSA based on the noise field directionality. Simulation results demonstrate the performance improvement obtained using the reconfiguring system as compared to a fixed uniform linear array (ULA) configuration with conventional or adaptive beamforming.