Optimal Waveform Design for Improved Indoor Target Detection in Sensing Through-the-Wall Applications

This paper deals with waveform design for improved detection and classification of targets behind walls and enclosed structures. The target impulse response is incorporated in an optimum design of the transmitted waveform which aims at maximizing the signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) at the receiver output. The interference represents signal-dependent clutter which, along with the wall, degrades the receiver performance compared to the free-space and zero-clutter case. Computer simulations show sensitivity of the optimum waveform to target orientation but depict an SINR enhancement over chirped waveform radar emissions at all aspect angles. Numerical electromagnetic modeling is used to provide the impulse response of typical indoor stationary targets, namely, tables, chairs, and humans.