Bistatic Radar Sensor Model
Collection modeling for space domain awareness architectures
Summary
- Bistatic radar sensor modeling for space domain awareness trades.
- Integrated into enterprise architecture analysis with legacy tooling.
- Led a 5-person sub-team delivering mission architecture research.
Overview
Bistatic radar systems use separate transmitter and receiver locations, offering unique advantages for space surveillance: improved stealth (receivers are passive), resistance to jamming, and the ability to detect objects that would be difficult for monostatic systems. At The Aerospace Corporation, I developed sensor models to enable high-level architecture analysis of proposed space domain awareness systems.
The work involved integrating bistatic radar physics into an enterprise-scale collection modeling framework, enabling trade studies across different sensor configurations, orbital regimes, and coverage requirements.
Technical Contributions
- Sensor Model Development: Designed and implemented a bistatic radar sensor model capturing transmit-receive geometry, radar cross-section variations, and atmospheric effects
- Architecture Integration: Integrated the model into existing enterprise mission architecture analysis framework for end-to-end trade studies
- Legacy Software Interface: Bridged multiple legacy software packages to enable seamless data flow through the analysis pipeline
- Trade Study Support: Enabled quantitative comparison of surveillance architecture alternatives across different threat scenarios
Leadership
Beyond technical contributions, I led a 5-person Systems Engineering Sub-Team, coordinating technical efforts across mission architecture research deliverables. This involved:
- Defining sub-team work packages and tracking deliverables
- Facilitating technical discussions and design reviews
- Coordinating with other sub-teams to ensure interface compatibility
- Presenting results to program stakeholders
Skills Developed
Radar Systems
Bistatic geometry, radar equation, propagation effects, detection thresholds
Systems Engineering
Architecture trades, requirements flow-down, interface control, verification
Team Leadership
Task coordination, progress tracking, stakeholder communication, technical mentoring
Enterprise Software
Large-scale simulation frameworks, legacy integration, configuration management