Beam-space signal processing and analysis of a LEO L-band GMTI SBR

Space based radar (SBR) has been investigated for decades and has once again made an appearance as a viable method for performing the moving target indication (MTI) mission. This work address a low earth orbit (LEO) based L-band radar concept. This work emphasize beam-space adaptive signal processing for improved clutter mitigation for an SBR employing multiple phase centers and a digital beamformer. A beam-space processing technique is considered for clutter mitigation; and, a parametric study of the number and spacing of beams are performed for a candidate scenario. Beam-space clutter mitigation techniques are much less computationally stressing than ´full joint domain´ space time adaptive processing (STAP). Beam-space processing can take advantage of the simultaneous beams formed by digital beamformers. This work defines a SBR system of interest to both USAF and NASA. Application of the beam-space clutter cancellation approach are discussed and sized for this application.