An Integrated Algorithm for Optimal Detection of Weak Radar Targets Masked by the Sidelobes of a Strong Target

The targets that either have low radar cross-section typically, or their return signal has been deliberately reduced are referred to as weak targets in radar terminology. There are several algorithms for detection of a weak moving target. When such a target is in the vicinity of a large target, the side lobes of the matched filter output due to the large target mask or hide the weak target. The adaptive pulse compression filter that uses the RMMSE estimator has the ability to detect the masked weak target. However, there are at least three factors (computational load, Doppler robustness and pulse eclipsing) which limit the practical application of RMMSE. In this paper, an optimized and integrated algorithm based on adaptive post-processing is proposed to detect targets and to overcome the challenges of RMMSE in electronic defense systems. The FFL-APCR proposed algorithm when compared qualitatively to other algorithms indicates better performance for different SNRs and various target velocities, showing that it is more suitable for implementation in real-time systems. The FFL-APCR algorithm can detect high speed and pulse eclipsed weak targets with lower computational load.