Signals and data fusion in a deployable multiband passive-active radar (DMPAR)

The paper addresses important problems related to improvement of probability or equivalently an improvement of range of the detection of targets. The probability of detection of targets can be improved by fusion of noncoherent signals and/or plots from a few independents radars (channels) working in different bands. As an example multiband passive-active radar system working simultaneously in four bands is considered. The paper describes the concept of signal processing in this radar, similar to the MIMO method described in [1]. The fusion of signals is called centralised fusion (detection) and the fusion of plots is called decentralised fusion (detection). The signal processing algorithms described in the paper are based on the original concept that for the fusion of signals (i.e., the centralized fusion) the cueing method is used. It means that signals reflected from targets in multi bands are summed only if the targets have been detected by the decentralised fusion and are being tracked. Thus the centralised fusion takes place around the predicted target positions. The probability of detection versus range curves were calculated by a simulation process for the centralised and decentralised detection (fusion). Quantitative results of these simulations show the possibility for substantial improvement of the target detection probability or equivalently range and compared to singleband radar. (6 pages)