Passive MIMO Radar Detection

Passive multiple-input multiple-output MIMO radar is a sensor network comprised of multiple distributed receivers that detects and localizes targets using the emissions from multiple non-cooperative radio frequency transmitters. This dissertation advances the theory of centralized passive MIMO radar PMR detection by proposing two novel generalized likelihood ratio test GLRT detectors. The first addresses detection in PMR networks without direct-path signals. The second addresses detection in PMR networks with direct-path signals. The probability distributions of both test statistics are investigated using recent results from random matrix theory. Equivalence is established between PMR networks without direct-path signals and passive source localization PSL networks. Comparison of both detectors with a centralized GLRT for active MIMO radar AMR detection reveals that PMR may be interpreted as the link between AMR and PSL sensor networks. In particular, under high direct-path-tonoise ratio DNR conditions, PMR sensitivity and ambiguity approaches that of AMR. Under low-DNR conditions, PMR sensitivity and ambiguity approaches that of PSL. At intermediate DNRs, PMR sensitivity and ambiguity smoothly varies between that of AMR and PSL. In this way, PMR unifies PSL and AMR within a common theoretical framework. This result provides insight into the fundamental natures of active and passive distributed sensing.