Abstract: To evaluate performance of the space-time adaptive process (STAP) algorithms for space based radar (SBR), a method for simulating clutter scenes with high fidelity is described. Instantaneous reflectivity scene of specific site is simulated first based on the corresponding land cover data, terrain data and radar operation parameters. Ideal and estimated values of clutter covariance matrix are then calculated using the instantaneous reflectivity scene, according to array pattern, effects of range foldover and earth rotation. The effect of internal clutter motion (ICM) is considered using the Billingsley spectrum model. The results show that statistical difference between simulated reflectivity scene and the reality is less than 5 dB, and simulated clutter environment of SBR can be used to analyze the performance of STAP quantitatively.

Key words: space based radar, space-time adaptive process, land clutter, internal clutter motion