Ka-band FMCW-radar for sniper detection

• Published in: 2012 13th International Radar Symposium pp. 201 - 204
• Main Authors: Winkler, V., Edrich, M., Ziegler, H.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-05-2012
• Subjects: Estimation; Projectiles; Radar cross section; Sensors; Trajectory; Velocity measurement
• ISBN: 1457718383; 9781457718380
• ISSN: 2155-5745; 2155-5753
• DOI: 10.1109/IRS.2012.6233315

Sniper activity presents a significant risk in current crisis regions. In many cases, persons, vehicles or infrastructure have been attacked without even being aware of the threat due to surrounding noise or dust conditions. To increase the situational awareness with respect to sniper activity, various types of sensors for sniper detection and localisation are currently under development, i.e. optical, acoustic and radar sensors. The goal is to detect the sniper threat and to estimate the direction and, if possible, the exact location of the threat origin. In this paper a protoype for a FMCW-radar at Ka-band is presented, which has been tested extensively in shooting trials with different ammunition and shooting geometries. Several methods for estimating the trajectory of a bullet have been found and are described in the following along with the basic signal processing principles applied in the sensor.