Performance improvement using interpulse pattern diversity with space-time adaptive processing

Abstract

This work investigates the impact of interpulse (pulse-to-pulse) transmit pattern diversity on space-time adaptive processing (STAP) performance. It is shown that varying interpulse transmit characteristics within a coherent processing interval (CPI) can reshape the clutter power spectrum, resulting in an interference whitening effect. For conducting comparative analysis with non-adaptive transmit techniques, a commonly used clutter model is extended to effectively incorporate interpulse pattern diversity effects. The work shows promise for achieving better minimum discernable velocity (MDV) using phased array transmits weights derived from optimum STAP weights (known covariance). Pattern diversity effectively redistributes clutter energy away from the clutter ridge. For the unambiguous clutter case, the proposed adaptive transmit technique shows promise for improving MDV at the clutter ridge peak.