Multi-mode clutter suppression of multiple-input–multiple-output over-the-horizon radar based on blind source separation

Spread-Doppler clutter caused by multi-mode propagation seriously affects the over-the-horizon radar detection performance for slow ships. To solve this problem, the authors propose to suppress multi-mode clutter using spatial information in the multiple-input-multiple-output over-the-horizon radar system. Traditional processing algorithms need prior information of the target direction. However, it is often not readily available. In this study, they propose a novel multi-mode clutter suppression algorithm based on the second-order blind identification (SOBI) technique. The proposed algorithm does not need prior information of the target direction and can effectively suppress the multi-mode clutter. Considering that the SOBI algorithm affected by the similarity in sources spectra, they improve the proposed algorithm using the spatial smoothing technique. Simulation results show that, in the single target scene, the improved algorithm can effectively eliminate the spectrum burrs caused by incomplete separation, making separated signals smoother. Signal-to-clutter-noise ratio is greatly improved. The good multi-mode clutter suppression performance is obtained. In the multi-mode scenario that double targets with the same radial velocity, that is, sources spectra have similarities, the algorithm based on SOBI cannot separate all targets. Although the improved algorithm can make all targets visible and effectively suppresses the multi-mode clutter.