The projected ballistic missile defense (BMD) threat environment is extremely challenging. The linear frequency modulation (LFM) waveforms used by current radars have limitations in these projected environments. The use of advanced waveforms is desired for these imaging tasks, but they require both wideband analog-to-digital converters and intensive digital processing. Optical front-end receivers have been shown to have significant advantages over wideband all-digital processing. Under previous efforts, Essex developed an opto-electronic radar signal processor, called the Advanced Optical Processor (AOP). The AOP permits the use of advanced waveforms, such as pseudo-random number (PRN) codes and chaotic waveforms. A second generation AOP is currently being developed and soon to be tested at both MIT/LL and KMR with the ALCOR radar. The AOP characteristics indicate that this radar image formation technology can be used to support the challenges posed by modern ballistic missile defense threat environments in the near future for both discrimination and kill assessment. In anticipation of a successful KMR test, this proposed work is needed to determine the desired requirements of selected Missile Defense Agency (MDA) radars for insertion of the AOP technology. Essex will also determine the short-term and long-term costs associated with this insertion. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: The commercial use of this product could be of benefit to all imaging radars where high fidelity is needed, particularly in dense object and interference environments. This technology is projected to be extremely useful in most missile defense radars. Essex has received interest in this technology from Lockheed-Martin (Moorestown, NJ and Syracuse, NY) for both US Navy and European radar systems. Raytheon and Boeing are also being contacted to discuss inclusion of this technology into future radar systems.
Keywords: AOP, Advanced Optical Processor, range compression, radar imaging, range-Doppler imaging, arbitrary waveforms
