Direct target localization with an active radar network

Target localization is commonly achieved by a decentralized two-step approach. Recently, studies proposed new promising centralized one-step algorithms. Using an active radar network, we study here the detection and estimation performances of a (one step, Direct Position Determination based) direct target position and velocity determination algorithm. Numerical results show the improvement of the proposed algorithm compared to a classical two-step method. The proposed method is also experimentally verified on real data. HighlightsStudy the detection and estimation performance of a joint target position and velocity estimation algorithm thanks to a radar network under Swerling 0, I and III target fluctuating models.A new (more general) expression of the energy detector is provided for Swerling III target fluctuating model.The provided Cramer-Rao bound expression is more compact than the closest state of the art, which is of importance when target fluctuations are taken into account.The proposed algorithm is tested into real data.