Patent ID: 7671789
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for target detection and angle estimation in a radar system, comprising: (a) receiving a signal from a radar array; (b) based on the received signal, performing monopulse beamforming to obtain one or more monopulse beams; (c) based on the monopulse beams, determining monopulse ratios; (d) using maximum likelihood estimation based on the determined monopulse ratios to determine an estimated monopulse ratio corresponding to a maximum of a likelihood function; (e) accessing a table correlating estimated monopulse ratios and corresponding estimated target angle values and determining from the table the estimated target angle having a value best corresponding to the estimated monopulse ratio; (f) accessing a complex target amplitude corresponding to the determined estimated target angle; (g) comparing the complex target amplitude corresponding to the determined estimated target angle to a threshold; and (h) if, based on the step of comparing, the target amplitude exceeds the threshold, providing an output signal indicative of target detection and the estimated target angle.