Clutter modelling for space-time adaptive processing in airborne radar

The presence of clutter can be highly detrimental to detection of targets in airborne radar systems. Space-time adaptive processing (STAP) attempts to alleviate the problem by exploiting angle-Doppler inter-relationships to suppress clutter. The requirements for modelling of clutter data that are suitable for the application of STAP are considered in this study. Examples of clutter generated using the ELMBAARC program in bistatic and monostatic applications are provided. Modelling of internal clutter motion is considered, together with its effect on the clutter domain in angle-Doppler space. Modelling of non-homogeneous clutter is also considered.