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Introduction. A radar image is an image obtained by remote sensing the earth's surface with a radar device. Radar images are characterized by background graininess caused by speckle noise, which should be filtered to improve the quality of radar images. The structure of speckle noise reduction filters often comprise one or more parameters to control the level of noise smoothing. The values of these parameters have to be selected experimentally. In works devoted to speckle noise filtering, the methods used for selecting filter paraments are rarely clarified.Aim. To present a methodology for selecting the parameters of multiplicative speckle noise filters on a radar image that are optimal in terms of the quality of the resulting image.Materials and methods. The article presents a method for determining the optimal parameters of speckle noise reduction filters. This method was applied to the most conventionally used filters. The search for optimal parameters and testing of the filters were carried out using a specially designed image, which contained the objects most frequently found on radar images. The structural similarity index (SSIM) metric was chosen as a metric that assesses the quality of filtration.Results. After determining the optimal (in terms of SSIM) parameters of speckle noise reduction filters, the filters were compared to select the best filters in terms of the quality of radar image processing. In addition, the operation of the filters under study was tested on images containing various types of objects, namely: large objects, small objects and sharp borders. Knowing which filter copes best with smoothing speckle noise in a particular area and what values of the variable parameters this requires, an optimal quality of radar images can be achieved. Filtering not only improves human perception of radar images, but also reduces the influence of speckle noise during their further processing (object detection, segmentation of areas, etc.).Conclusion. The proposed algorithm allowed optimal parameters for several speckle noise filters to be determined. The quality of filtration was assessed using an expert method (visually) by comparing images before and after filtration, differential images and one-dimensional image slices. The Frost filter and the anisotropic diffusion filter with optimal parameters showed the best processing quality according to the SSIM metric.

Introduction. Remote monitoring of layered underlying surfaces is an urgent task. To assess the performance of new algorithms for processing the radar signal reflected from the surfaces, full-scale tests are required. As their carrying out demands big expenses, simulation modeling is actual. There are many methods of estimating an electromagnetic field (EMF) scattered by the earth's surface. However, there are no proven methods and algorithms for engineering calculation of the reflected radio signal in the conditions of this problem.Aim. The aim is to develop and to verify a software model to simulate the reflected multilayer extended structure of the radio signal received on board the aircraft.Materials and methods. The core of the model was based on high-frequency electrodynamics' methods, which allowed rapid calculation for large areas of targets with any number of layers. Simulation was produced using the MATLAB software package. The developed simulation model represented the result in the form of the normalized radar cross-section (RCS) of the multilayer structure. Since the layered structure had rough boundaries, the model provided triangulation of the boundaries of the volume-distributed object. The resulting EMF was calculated using the superposition principle. Each partial EMF value on the facet was calculated taking into account the phase and the polarization of the locally incident EMF.Results. In the paper the comparison of simulation results with theoretical calculations for the normalized RCS of a two-layer structure (difference is less than 10 percent) was presented. Verification for the coefficient of variation of the envelope of the reflected radio signal from the depth of groundwater (critical error was 7 percent) was performed. RCS modeling of the absorbing layer with different degrees of roughness of the layer boundaries was carried out. The upper boundary roughness (for maximal height deviation 0.1 m) affected on specific EPR more than lower boundary. It manifested itself in decreasing of RCS down to 30 dB.Conclusion. The developed model is intended to reduce expenses for designing synthesis of subsurface imaging systems with comparison of scheme "model of device development – field tests – completion – etc". The model is designed to verify the new signal processing algorithms for subsurface radar.

Introduction. Modern air targets, particularly drones, are becoming less noticeable, while their manoeuvrability continues to improve. Trajectory processing algorithms have also been improved in order to provide for effective tracking of highly manoeuvring targets. The accuracy of filtering trajectory parameters is largely determined by the reliability of radar information. This has also required an enhanced role for strobe algorithms and the need to increase the effectiveness of strobe radar marks.Aim. To develop and investigate the efficiency of a trajectory strobe algorithm based on the target motion model in a high-speed coordinate system associated with the direction of the target motion and involving the formation of a strobe in the form of a truncated elliptical sector.Materials and methods. The study considered the target motion model in the body-fixed frame. This model was taken as the basis for new trajectory filtering algorithms based on Kalman filtering. Existing methods for strobing radar marks of the target were considered and a new approach based on filtering in the body-fixed frame proposed. The new algorithm assumes the formation of a strobe in the form of a truncated elliptical sector. This form corresponds to the most probable location of the marks of the tracked target. The effectiveness of the proposed solutions is confirmed by the results of mathematical modelling carried out using MATLAB.Results. The study produced analytical expressions for the motion model, recurrent filtering and strobe algorithm in the body-fixed frame. A comparative analysis of tracking effectiveness with the same volumes of the elliptical and proposed strobes was performed. It was established that the algorithm with strobe formation in the shape of a truncated elliptical sector provides for longer target tracking up to the time of the first loss of the mark for speed and highly manoeuvring targets, when compared to the elliptical strobe algorithm. In addition, the average duration of sector strobe tracking does not in practice depend on the initial speed of the target and provides greater accuracy for small measurement error values (less than 50 m) of the coordinates than in comparison with the elliptical one. Conclusion. The described results were achieved by the ability of the strobe in the body-fixed frame to adapt to the direction of motion and target manoeuvring, allowing high-quality target tracking within a larger speed range. Such strobe formation will also reduce the likelihood of skip-ping radar marks from the tracked target and will reduce the number of false marks belonging to other trajectories inside the strobe.

Nowadays the interest in search of ways of improving the efficiency of small radar cross-section aerial objects detection and localization rises against the background of widespread use of light and unmanned aerial vehi-cles. As a result, researchers pay attention to radar systems (RS) with continuous linear frequency modulation (linear FM) signal. The use of such signals gives the measurable opportunity to reduce radar system peak-speech power and to cut the cost and weightsize parameters of the RS. The paper observes low-power ground based radar implementation prospects for purposes of detection and estimation of motion rates of small-sized aerial objects. The proposed algorithm of radar signals processing enables to simplify the detection of such tar-gets. The paper reveals the structure and defines the steps of the algorithm. The fundamental for the algorithm under consideration is the method of the range-Doppler image composition of the scanned area using digital signal processing. The paper presents the results of the algorithm operation in the low-power RS of C-band radar, obtained by processing of quadrotor echo-signals during the real experiment. The results show successful solvation of the applied problem of detection and tracking on the small-sized aerial object with the radar cross-section equal to less than 0.5 m2 and the spectrum of secondary radiation characterized by the expressed multimodality. The results of the experiment validate the application of the algorithm and demonstrate the possibility of the algorithm implementation in design of portable RS and automated target acquisition centers for detecting and tracking of the small-sized aerial targets (both, single as multi agent) with the information display on operator control panel.