Bistatic Radar

Instructor: Dan Thomas
SRC, Inc.

Course Description:

The purpose of this short course is to introduce the participant to the basic concepts associated with bistatic radar. Non-cooperative bistatic radar techniques will be emphasized. Non-cooperative radar is of interest because it can employ a wide variety of different non-cooperative waveforms from various emitters to detect targets.  We will discuss bistatic radar theory as well as some practical implementation issues including bistatic radar architecture, synchronization, etc.  Specific problems related to a variety of bistatic host emitters will be discussed.    Topics include the following:

• Definitions
• Bistatic phenomenology (clutter, radar cross section)
• Bistatic geometry and target localization
• Radar coverage
• Bistatic radar range equation and performance
• Choosing suitable emitters
• Synchronization
• Pulsewidth
• PRI
• Beamwidth/scan time
• Measurements
• Bistatic resolution
• Accuracies
• Angle measurement and sidelobe blanking
• Direct path intercept and cross-correlation
• Practical considerations and limitations
• Sampling
• CW bistatics
• Self-jamming by direct path
• Signal processing techniques
• Practical considerations for various non-cooperative emitters
• Radar bistatics
• Scan synchronization
• Pulse chasing (with antenna concepts that support it)
• Sampling
• Moving baseline operation
• Signal and data processing
• Bistatic emitter location
• Bistatic clutter cancellation
• Stationary
• Moving baseline
• Multistatic operation
• Fusion with monostatic radar data
• Bistatic SAR basic concepts
• Advantages and disadvantages of bistatic radar relative to monostatic radar

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Dr. Daniel Thomas is Director of Science and Technology for SRC’s Systems Technology Center. Dr. Thomas has 30 years of experience in applied research and development in the areas of radar and communication systems. Dr. Thomas specializes in radar system analysis (both monostatic and bistatic), simulation and modeling, signal and data processing, real-time target tracking, and adaptivity. In his position, he is actively involved with a wide spectrum of programs at SRC, including monostatic and bistatic radar development, test, and evaluation. Dr. Thomas has led or participated in a wide variety of development efforts including both radar and CW bistatics for ground-based, shipborne, and airborne applications operating against ground, air, sea and space targets.