An Image Domain Detection Optimization Method for LEO-Based Distributed Passive Radar of Multiple Maritime Targets

The rapid deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellites has provided enhanced opportunities for passive radar with improved Illuminators of Opportunity (IoO). However, compared to traditional monostatic radar, passive radar features a complex, time-varying geometric configuration, and long-duration monitoring would involve satellite handovers, resulting in a more intricate measurement model. Additionally, when multiple target exist within the monitoring area, measurements association may have multiple solutions, complicating the target state estimation Distributed passive radar can effectively exploit multi-dimensional gains, and the large synthetic aperture and bandwidth of LEO satellites enable high-resolution imaging, offering a potential solution to these challenges in the image domain. In this paper, an image-domain-based optimization strategy is proposed for distributed passive radar using LEO communication satellites. This approach facilitates the effective detection and state estimation of multiple target, providing a theoretical foundation for subsequent long-term tracking.