An integrated maritime surveillance system based on high-frequency surface-wave radars, Part 1: Theoretical background and numerical simulations

In this two-part paper, an integrated maritime surveillance (IMS) system, b ased on high-frequency surface-wave radars (HFSWR), is described. IMS provi des low-cost, 24-hour, real-time, over-the-horizon surveillance of large oc ean areas, out to the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The system can be used to coordinate search and rescue operations, and to comba t smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal dumping of pollutants, and other und esirable activities. The major challenges in using HFSWR are (i) operating within the crowded HF spectrum; and (ii) maintaining effective operation in high environmental noise, ocean clutter, ionospheric clutter and other und esirable sources of interferences. In Part 1, the system is outlined and th ese problems are addressed. Numerical simulation, as well as stochastic mod eling, are presented to demonstrate the physics behind the system.