Introduction to Passive Radar (Artech House Radar)
Developed by recognized experts in the field, this first-of-its-kind resource introduces the basic principles of passive radar technology and provides an overview of recent developments in this field and existing real passive radar systems. This book explains how passive radar works, how it differs from the active type, and demonstrates the benefits and drawbacks of this novel technology. Properties of illuminators, including ambiguity functions, digital vs. analog, digitally-coded waveforms, vertical-plane coverage, and satellite-borne and radar illuminators are explored.
Why Read This Book
You will get a focused, practitioner-oriented introduction to passive radar that connects fundamental signal‑processing theory with real-world system examples and recent research. The book emphasizes illuminators‑of‑opportunity, ambiguity functions, and practical tradeoffs so you can immediately evaluate, design, or prototype passive radar systems.
Who Will Benefit
Engineers and graduate students with some DSP or radar background who want to design, analyze, or prototype passive (illuminator‑of‑opportunity) radar systems and understand their practical constraints.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Undergraduate signals and systems/DSP (Fourier transforms, filtering), basic probability/statistics, and introductory radar concepts (range/Doppler, matched filtering); familiarity with MATLAB or similar tools is helpful.
Key Takeaways
- Explain the operational principles and architecture of passive radar and how it differs from active radar
- Analyze illuminators‑of‑opportunity (FM, TV, DVB‑T, satellite, etc.) using ambiguity functions and waveform properties
- Design and evaluate key signal‑processing blocks (correlation receivers, range‑Doppler processing, FFT-based spectral analysis)
- Apply adaptive and statistical signal‑processing methods to mitigate clutter, interference, and multipath in passive scenarios
- Assess implementation choices (digital vs. analog front ends, synchronization, reference channel strategies) and prototype using SDRs
- Compare performance limits and practical tradeoffs across real passive radar systems and illuminator types
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to Passive Radar: Concepts and History
- 2. Geometry, Coordinate Systems, and System Architectures
- 3. Illuminators‑of‑Opportunity: Sources, Spectra, and Coverage
- 4. Ambiguity Functions and Waveform Properties
- 5. Reference Channel, Synchronization, and Timing
- 6. Receiver Architectures: Correlation and Cross‑Ambiguity Processing
- 7. Range‑Doppler Processing, FFTs, and Spectral Analysis
- 8. Clutter, Multipath, and Adaptive Suppression Techniques
- 9. Detection, Estimation, and Statistical Signal Processing
- 10. Digital vs. Analog Front Ends and Practical Implementation Issues
- 11. Examples of Operational Passive Radar Systems
- 12. Emerging Trends: Satellite Illuminators, MIMO, and Future Directions
- Appendices: Mathematical Tools and Practical Measurement Techniques
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Mark A. Richards' 'Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing', Griffiths' book narrows the focus to passive/illuminator‑of‑opportunity systems and practical implementation issues rather than broad active‑radar theory.
