After several years of research and development, the multistatic SAMURAI radar successfully detected drones in realtime.
One of the main challenges of multistatic radar networks is the exact synchronization of the distributed transmit and receive nodes in time and in space. Required precision was achieved by calibrating the radar measurements against virtual radar targets generated with two Palindrome radar target simulators.
After calibrating the radar with virtual point targets and virtual trajectories, the focus was put on real targets like drones, cars, persons and planes. The benefit of multistatic measurements could be demonstrated by tracking a continuously tracking a drone over several full 360° circles. Thanks to the two non-collocated receivers, the target could always be detected in non-zero Doppler conditions for at least one receiver. Real-time trajectory merging finally lead to continuous tracks.
Merged trajectory (purple) of a DJI phantom 5 drone.