Space Time Adaptive Processing Technique for Airborne Radar: An Overview of Its Development and Prospects

Abstract

Used to suppress strong clutter and jamming in airborne radar data, Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) is a multidimensional adaptive filtering technique that simultaneously combines signals from elements of an antenna array and multiple pulses of coherent radar waveforms. As a key technology for improving the performance of airborne radar, it has attracted much attention in the field of radar research and from powerful military nations in recent years. In this paper, the research and development status of STAP technology is reviewed including methodologies, experimental systems, and applications and we focus on the key technical problems encountered during its development. Then, the application of STAP technology in equipment is introduced. Finally, the next development trends, future directions, and areas worthy of further research are presented.

Keywords

• Airborne radar
• Clutter suppression
• Anti-jamming
• Target detection
• Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP)
• Target detection