Match Function Method for Space Debris Detection Using Incoherent Scatter Radar

Beam-park experiments done by powerful and highly sensitive radar allow us to gain insight into the debris population. But any cost-effective approach demands a multi-use concept where the system can be reconfigured easily to perform a variety of different tasks. In this paper we present a flexible digital signal process method for space debris measurements using the conventional ionospheric data. Based on the conventional ionospheric data obtained by European incoherent scatter radar on 25 March 2010, the “mutation” phenomenon of the sounding data power was studied. Generally, the “mutation” power in more than 500 km is not produced by geophysical effects, but due to satellites or space debris. Matched filtering method was used to achieve the space debris detection and the debris's character extraction, and the signal to noise ratio is improved by using coherent accumulation method. A total of 363 pieces were captured, and the distribution of debris with height and time has been obtained. The result shows that the debris was concentrated in the height of 800 km, and the distribution of debris with height was consistent with the results of European Incoherent Scatter organizations.