A cross-correlation approach to determine target range in passive radar using FM Broadcast Signals

Passive radar detects and locates the target by using third-party transmitters like FM, Digital Broadcast Signals, or any other communications links. The cost of installation and operation is low for such passive radars. It is difficult to detect and jam these passive radars, since they do not use dedicated transmitters, known as transmitter-of-opportunity. Over the last few years these systems have led to growing interest as increasing maturity of passive radar systems. In this paper, FM broadcast based passive radar is used to determine the target range. An algorithm based on cross correlation is developed to determine the distance from the target to passive radar receiver separated by certain distance and a stationary target is available. In this paper we have used a dual antenna based passive radar receiver. Algorithm is developed to work even at very low SNR. Test results have clearly indicated the efficacy of the method and the computed parameter demonstrated the fact that the FM broadcast based passive radars serve the said purposes.