Rough North Correction Estimation Algorithm Based on Terrain Visibility

Abstract

The article describes an innovative algorithm of a radar north correction estimation. The uniqueness of the algorithm is the pure data/software nature without need for any additional north-seeking equipment. This procedure is a key step of a registration local coordinate system to a global one. The presented method is an application of cognitive radar approach, matching of radar ground clutter echoes with a-priori information, vector map data, and terrain elevation profile. The algorithm is based on matching observed ground clutter areas within received radar signal, with (corresponding) areas visible upon terrain profile data. The designed north correction algorithm was tested on real radar signal recorded on the 2D surveillance short-range radar ReVISOR made by RETIA, a.s. The current implementation utilizes SRTM height profile data.

Keywords

• Algorithm
• coordinates
• estimation
• ground clutter
• north-correction
• north-finding