Fine-grained multi-planar clutter rejection processor

Abstract

A fine grained multi-planar clutter rejection processor (10) for correlating multiple sets of data. The processor (10) maps each set of data onto a plurality of arrays (28-34). The data includes target data which is correlated between sets and clutter which is uncorrelated between sets of data. The system also includes a means for shifting (40) the positions of the second and subsequent arrays in a pattern which is larger for each successive array. In addition, a correlation identification unit (78) identifies the coordinate locations in the first array (28) which contain data points and which also contain data points in subsequent arrays in their shifted positions. In this way, data points identified in this manner are correlated and the remaining data points can be discarded as clutter. The processor (10) system is able to handle a very large number of data points per scan (over 100,000) over a high number of scans (such as eight). Due to its highly parallel approach, the total processing time is completely independent of the number of data points or scans.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.