FM-based Passive Bistatic Radar in ARGUS 3D: Experimental results

Conventional civil Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems are able to detect targets and identify collaborative aircrafts in the air space but they don’t ensure full coverage at low altitudes, in presence of non-cooperative targets (NCTs) and aircraft (A/C) with a low value of radar cross section (RCS). This paper describes the ARGUS 3D (AiR GUidance and Surveillance 3D) project funded by the European Union (FP7). This project intends to improve the current ATC systems for civil applications, extending their coverage and making them able to detect, recognize and track NCTs, by means of innovative sensors, such as a new enhanced Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), passive and bistatic radar network. This work is focused on the activities performed by DIET Dept. of University of Rome “La Sapienza” within ARGUS 3D, related to the development of an effective FM-based Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR). Specifically, the processing scheme, the prototypal receiver architecture and dedicated tests performed in a real environment, are described. Aiming at validating the passive radar contribution to ARGUS 3D system, a specific acquisition campaign, with a dedicated flight, has been carried out in cooperation with ENAV, the Italian Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP).