Recognition of convoys with array radar

Recognition of convoys of ground vehicles and estimation of the cross-range convoy length component during tracking by radar is discussed in this study. Radar with multi-channel array antenna is assumed. Such antenna offers the potential of spatial and space-time signal processing. For estimation of the cross-range length component generalised power estimators are used. In presence of ground clutter such techniques require an moving target indication (MTI) function including clutter suppression. In the case of moving radar space-time clutter suppression such as space-time adaptive processing (STAP) is required. It is shown that the direction of motion as well as the cross-range of the convoy can be retrieved from data obtained during tracking.