The development of an ESM data processing scheme based on pattern recognition techniques

The author reports on a study to develop and test a novel scheme, called PREPS, based on pattern recognition techniques, for ESM data processing. The philosophy behind PREPS has been to process on a pulse-by-pulse basis and to make maximum use of intra-pulse parameters, using time of arrival only as a second stage parameter. The aim has been to design PREPS so that new pulse parameters can easily be utilised when they become available. A further design goal was to allow all stages of the processing to have access to all levels of data; thus, for example, an emitter can be analysed at any level down to its constituent pulses