Experiments with Cognitive Micro-Doppler Radar: Detection of Aircrafts’ Micro-Doppler Signals with Varied CPIs and PRFs

In our prior research, we introduced the concept of cognitive micro-Doppler radar, primarily analyzing data from small drones through experiments. This study extends our investigation to include micro-Doppler signals from larger aircrafts, marking a pioneering effort globally. We employed dynamic CPIs and PRFs within the framework of a cognitive radar system to explore these signals. To validate our approach, we captured X-band radar signals from a fixed-wing plane (P750) and a helicopter (AS350). Our experiments revealed that adjusting CPI and PRF settings can optimize the micro-Doppler signatures of both the P750 and AS350. While existing research typically relies on fixed CPI and PRF for radar detection of aircraft micro-Doppler signals, our study highlights the potential of cognitive micro-Doppler radar in aircraft detection and tracking, especially concerning micro-Doppler signatures.