Abstract :
Summary form only given. Passive Bistatic Radar is now a mainstream subject, as shown by the large number of publications at conferences and in journals. Such systems have a number of potential advantages. The receiver is passive and so potentially undetectable. There are many illumination sources that can be used, many of them of high power and favorably sited. PBR receiver systems can often be rather simple and low cost, and there is no need for any licence for the transmitter. However, since the waveforms are not explicitly designed for radar use they may be far from optimum for radar purposes. It is therefore necessary to understand the effect of the waveform on the performance of the passive bistatic radar, so as to be able to choose the most appropriate illuminator, and to process the waveform in the optimal way. The tutorial will cover the fundamentals of bistatic radar, including the bistatic geometry and its consequences in the configuration of PBR systems, the bistatic radar equation, its interpretation for PBR and in performance prediction, and the properties of targets at PBR frequencies. Further key aspects are those which are basically related to the passive features, namely the exploitation of noncooperative transmitters. Modern digital broadcast waveforms like DAB+ and DVB-T build the focus of processing schemes for passive radars, which are not only of military interest because of their covertness and anti-stealth potential but also of interest for the civilian world, where radar surveillance is needed but additional electromagnetic emissions are not acceptable. The properties of potential illuminators are analysed and processing schemes are proposed. Theoretical approaches and system concepts will be supported by a wide range of measurement experiences with a variety of experimental systems of customized development. An overview of existing experimental systems, demonstrator systems and future trends will conclude the work.
