Radar detection of co-operative targets using dual polarized radar-a multidimensional, multichannel detection problem

Summary form only given, as follows. In certain circumstances, it is not possible to improve radar detection performance using conventional radar techniques, i.e. increased power, shorter pulse length, coherence, etc. If the radar polarization characteristics of the target are sufficiently different from those of the surrounding clutter environment, it is possible to improve detection through the use of polarization-domain processing. The polarization state (PS) can be viewed as adding new dimensions to the conventional 1-D echo amplitude normally used for detection. The application of a multidimensional, multichannel distance metric in the amplitude and polarization domains to detect cooperative retroreflectors with distinctive radar polarization characteristics in man-made and natural clutter environments is described. The results are based on real data collected using a partially coherent X-band weather radar system.