Scattering Function Estimation for Overspread Radar Targets

ABSTRACT. In many radar scenarios, the radar target or the medium is assumed to possess randomly varying parts. The properties of a target are described by a random process known as the spreading function. Its second order statistics under the WSSUS assumption are given by the scattering function. Recent developments in the operator identification theory suggest a channel sounding procedure that allows to determine the spreading function given complete statistical knowledge of the operator echo. We show it is theoretically possible to identify a scattering function of an overspread target from a single received echo and suggest an estimator for the scattering function.