Feasibility analysis of GSM signal for passive radar

Abstract

Passive radar makes use of an 'illuminator of opportunity' already present in the environment for other purposes (TV transmission, broadcast systems, etc) to detect targets as well as estimating target parameters. This radar has the merit of being a completely covert radar system, which does not advertise the presence of either the receivers or transmitting stations. One such existing radio transmission that may be utilize for this purpose is that of the GSM system. This paper is intended to access the feasibility and suitability of using the GSM downlink signals from the GSM base station as the 'transmissions of opportunity' in an experimental passive radar system. The analysis of the GSM signal as a radar waveform for the passive radar systems design and its associate signal processing scheme is investigated. Simulations and preliminary experimental results demonstrate that the detection of ground moving targets can be indeed be achieved, affirming that this system is indeed viable and for certain does offer a novel and unique kind of passive detection that is outside the scope of other current approaches.