An apodization approach for passive GMTI Radar with Non-Uniform Linear Arrays

This paper considers the use of non-uniform linear array (NULA) for clutter cancellation in passive radar mounted on moving platforms. By exploiting the spatial diversity offered by NULA configurations, we propose a simple strategy based on displaced phase centre antennas (DPCA), that allows to improve the detection performance of very slow-moving targets, without decreasing the spacing between the blind velocities. Thanks to an apodization approach, the proposed strategy also succeeds in mitigating the fluctuations in the pattern usually obtained with NULA configurations. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is also shown on simulated data, addressing the case of a passive radar exploiting DVB-T as a signal of opportunity.