A novel target identification and discrimination scheme using matched spread-spectrum techniques

Abstract

This paper presents a method of accurate identification using a radar sensor incorporating the matched frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (MFH/SS) technique. Our work is based on the fact that targets of different shapes have different frequency signatures. This means that each target is characterized by a special frequency dependence of the scattering cross-section. Our approach to identifying objects is based on matching the radar receiver circuit to the selected hopping frequencies which give maximum backscattering contribution for different identified targets at different look directions. Also, we suggest a single radar sensor incorporating modified techniques, MFH combined with angle diversity (AD) and cumulative matched frequency hopping (CMFH) for three-dimensional target identification. The results of a simulation study are presented showing the effectiveness of incorporating the MFH/SS technique in the radar sensor for enhancing target identification and provide the redundancy and complementarity provided by multiple sensors.