Linear prediction based temporal weighting for pre-Doppler STAP

Temporal weights used in element-space pre- Doppler STAP ideally maximize the magnitude and frequency coverage of the pre-Doppler temporal output signal. Maximizing the magnitude of the temporal output signal is critical for detection of weak targets, while broad frequency coverage is essential for detection of low radial velocity targets. Traditional pre-Doppler STAP uses binomial filter coefficients, which act as a high-pass filter, for the temporal weights. A comparison of the traditional weighting method and an alternative method, which uses linear prediction to determine the temporal weights, shows that weights determined with linear prediction often contribute to a higher output SINR than do binomial temporal weights. In addition, linear prediction based temporal weights are determined adaptively from the data which offers a significant advantage in flexibility over the traditional method whose weights are based on a specific collection geometry.