On signal-to-noise ratio estimation in adaptive Doppler filters

Doppler filters are used to obtain target velocity in radar systems. In such applications, it is usual to use window functions with prespecified shape and length. For good target velocity estimation, it is necessary to apply adaptive length window functions. The optimum length is primarily influenced by the target dynamics, expressed in its acceleration, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the obtained echo. We propose a very simple procedure for a signal-to-noise ratio estimation. The efficiency of this procedure and the influence of the estimated signal-to-noise ratio on the velocity estimation has been demonstrated through computer simulations.