Use of a highly deterministic multipath signal model in low-angle tracking

A maximum-likelihood estimation technique based on deterministic modelling is presented. The algorithm is designed to be used specifically for radar tracking of low-angle targets or radar direction-finding in a naval environment. In this algorithm, a highly deterministic multipath signal model is used for formulating the likelihood function, which is maximised with respect to the angles of arrival. In addition, the Cramer-Rao bounds that apply specifically to this model are derived. It is shown, by using both simulated data and real data, that this technique provides excellent performance in resolving multiple signals. The measured data that are used in this study were recorded using a 32-element sampled aperture antenna on an `overwater´ path