Maritime target detection using GNSS-based radar: Experimental proof of concept

This paper investigates the feasibility of using the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) as transmitters of opportunity in a passive bistatic radar system for maritime target detection applications. To this purpose, the experimental test bed was developed, and the practical campaign was conducted for maritime data acquisition with the new Galileo satellites and a ferry as the target. By developing and applying the appropriate signal processing algorithm, the obtained experimental results have not only verified the system performance, but also showed the potentialities of a multi-static configuration utilising multiple satellites simultaneously.