A super-resolution locationing algorithm for ultra-wideband phased-array radars

Super-resolution direction finding algorithms such as MUSIC or ESPRIT methods inherently assume narrow-band signals, which are not applicable to ultra-wideband radars such as GPR (ground penetration radar). We developed a time-domain algorithm to determine the time and direction of arrival pulses with an order higher resolutions than the nominal resolution determined by the aperture size. The received signal waveform at each array element is first analyzed by the recursive nonorthogonal decomposition using a dictionary of basic waveforms. After the delay time of the echoes in each element of the receiving array is determined, the number of targets and their locations are determined by analyzing variation of the delay time over the array with the aid of a Hough transform. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by numerical simulations.