Non-linear STAP filters based on adaptive 2D-FIR filters

This paper presents a non-linear adaptive approach to the cancellation of clutter echoes in modern AEW radar systems equipped with digital beamforming. Two new STAP schemes are conceived by using different non-linear functions that are applied to the output of a bank of adaptive 2D FIR filters. The STAP schemes are shown to yield better detection performance than previously known schemes when operating in a non-stationary clutter background containing interfering targets. Since they require a limited increase of the computational load, compared to the single 2D-FIR filters, the proposed schemes can be regarded as practical solutions for robust and effective STAP of radar data.