On the resolution performance of passive radar using DVB-T illuminations

DVB-T signals used as illumination for passive radar offer advantageous radar signal processing properties and promise sufficiently high range resolution. Passive DVB-T radar performance assessment is based on a signal processing model including reference signal reconstruction, the influence of bit-error rates on range performance and the application of error corrections. A verification of the estimated range resolution performance is attempted using the experimental passive radar system PETRA of FHR to discriminate small civilian aircraft in close flight under realistic measurement conditions. The results encourage utilising DVB-T signals as trend-setting non-cooperative illuminations in future passive radar systems, not only in central Europe.