New experiment design framework for target detection with the Y-configured Multisensor Imaging Radar

We address a new robust approach for evaluation of the resolution performances of the Multisensor Imaging Radar (MIR) image formation, with the purpose of detection of multiple and distributed object in various complicated environmental operational scenarios. We present a performance analysis incorporating operational uncertainties such as antenna array sensor displacement due to manufacturing errors and/or power/signal failure in one or more of these sensors. This new performance analysis is performed in order to prevent malfunctioning or target mismatch of the MIR system. The system employs a matched spatial filter bank image formation method. The shape of the MIR point spread function (PSF) or impulse response is optimized applying the new proposed descriptive experiment design (DED)-inspired quality metrics constructed to satisfy the balanced resolution-over-clutter suppression requirements adapted to multiple target high-resolution sensing scenarios. We consider the case of five static targets in the presence of heavy clutter. In this case, the recorded data consist not only of the target echoes but also of the undesired reflections from the environment.