[snopercod]

I have a vague familiarity with how J-STRS works. You have that 100' tall tower with the radar source on it, and the aircraft up above looking for reflected signals.

But the J-STRS antenna/receivers are super-sensitive.

It's hard to understand how those crappy little cell antennae and off-the-shelf receivers could be sensitive enought to track a Honda Civic at 10 miles from reflected signal only.

Furthermore, the ground clutter - reflections from nearby metal buildings, billboards, transmission towers, etc. - would almost certainly overwhelm the tiny reflections from cars on the ground.

Heck, what do I know?

[_Jim]

furthermore, the ground clutter - reflections from nearby metal buildings, billboards, transmission towers, etc. - would almost certainly overwhelm the tiny reflections from cars on the ground.

Correlators, multiple 'correlators' tracking various 'reflections' in software and only working on those with (or known to have) motion.

Call it MTI (moving target indicator) if you will; a simple technique of 'clutter elimination'.