| This thesis describes the research and development of a passive coherent location (PCL) radar system that uses a commercial FM station as the transmitter. The receivers consist of a target channel, a reference channel, and a signal processor used to compare the outputs from the two channels. The system measures bistatic target range and bistatic target range-rate (Doppler frequency). The hardware consists of RF bandpass filters, amplifiers, and a digital receiver using a PC-based, 14-bit, high-speed data acquisition card. The data acquisition card performs heterodyning to baseband. The system also includes cancelers to reduce clutter returns. The FFT-based signal processor generates range-Doppler maps of the target environment. Testing was performed using targets of opportunity—typically commercial airliners flying in flight corridors from Atlanta, Georgia, to near Nashville, Tennessee. The system detection range is greater than 60 miles. |
