Summary
The objective of the Beyond Linear Processing (BLiP) program is to improve radar performance by the application of more advanced signal processing techniques.
Radar signal processing has evolved incrementally from processing in analog circuits to digital hardware implementation, firmware, and now implementation in software. Linear processing of the signal from the antenna to the detector has been retained in this evolution.
The tremendous increase in processing capability enables a fresh look into radar signal processing. BLiP is based on the premise that when more physically realistic target and environment models are used as the basis for the radar estimation and detection problem, then solutions require non-linear and iterative signal processing. Non-linear and iterative techniques have the potential to significantly improve radar performance such that smaller radar apertures and thus smaller platforms can provide equivalent capability.
BLiP will address the current immaturity of non-linear and iterative signal processing methods. Over the course of this program, end-to-end radar signal processing chains will be developed, analyzed, implemented and tested; initially through non-real-time laboratory testing and culminating in real-time implementation and full-scale field testing. Key technical challenges for BLiP will be the development, understanding, and optimization of the signal processing chain, and the practical aspects of implementing BLiP algorithms in real-time in current high performance processing.