Batches algorithm for passive radar: a theoretical analysis

Passive bistatic radar or passive coherent location is gaining interest in the radar community, as it provides some advantages with respect to active radar. Passive radar does not aim to replace active radar; it provides a good complement to it. The computational effort that is required to implement the required signal processing is one of the drawbacks that affect passive radars. In this paper, a suboptimal but computationally affordable detection algorithm is investigated that is applicable to arbitrary waveforms (different types of illuminators of opportunity). First, a detailed mathematical formulation of the proposed suboptimum algorithm is derived. A theoretical performance analysis is then provided based on a comparison of the proposed with the optimum two-dimensional matched filter. Finally, simulated and real data are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and to validate the theoretical performance analysis.