Distributed weather radar using X-band active arrays

Dense networks of short-range radars capable of mapping storms and detecting atmospheric and airborne hazards are described. Comprised of physically small, low-power antennas, these networks defeat the Earth curvature blockage that limits today's long-range radar networks and enable high resolution views that extend from the lower-troposphere to the tops of storms. The networks are comprised of 1-meter antennas that transmit 10's of W peak power and are capable of high-speed electronic beam-steering. A system architecture is described that maximizes the value accrued to users of radar data through utility functions that specify dynamic, optimal allocation of resources in response to the needs of multiple end-users and associated information retrieval algorithms.     

A low-cost space-based radar system concept

A space-based radar system concept is described that can provide continuous world-wide, all-weather, day-night observation and tracking of ships, aircraft, vehicles and ground facilities of interest. The system employs a constellation of radar satellites in low-earth orbit to provide continuous world-wide target access. The radars employ reflector antennas, TWT transmitters and high frequency (e.g., X band) to achieve long range with relatively low weight, complexity and cost. The radars operate in moving-target-detection (MTD) and synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) spotlight imaging modes to observe moving and fixed targets, respectively. The system could support a wide range of military, intelligence, law-enforcement and civilian missions     

一种基于角度-多普勒补偿的均匀圆形

采用均匀圆形相控阵天线的机载雷达杂波分布随距离变化而变化,各距离单元的杂波不再满足独立同分布的条件,造成统计型空时自适应处理(STAP)器性能下降。基于此,本文建立了均匀圆形天线机载雷达模型,对其杂波分布进行了分析,得出了空间角随阵元数非线性变化的特性造成其杂波距离维分布非均匀的结论。研究了一种均匀圆形天线机载雷达杂波抑制方法,该方法先通过修正的角度-多普勒补偿(MADC)预处理消除在杂波谱中心处的非均匀,再利用基于导数更新(DBU)技术进一步减小在其他方位杂波的非均匀程度。仿真结果表明了该方法的有效性。     

一种基于角度-多普勒补偿的均匀圆形天线机载雷达杂波抑制方法

采用均匀圆形相控阵天线的机载雷达杂波分布随距离变化而变化,各距离单元的杂波不再满足独立同分布的条件,造成统计型空时自适应处理(STAP)器性能下降。基于此,本文建立了均匀圆形天线机载雷达模型,对其杂波分布进行了分析,得出了空间角随阵元数非线性变化的特性造成其杂波距离维分布非均匀的结论。研究了一种均匀圆形天线机载雷达杂波抑制方法,该方法先通过修正的角度 多普勒补偿(MADC)预处理消除在杂波谱中心处的非均匀,再利用基于导数更新(DBU)技术进一步减小在其他方位杂波的非均匀程度。仿真结果表明了该方法的有效性。     

Medium PRF Performance Analysis

A discussion of various types of x-band airborne radars is presented together with their systematic development through the years to the present time. Starting with simple, low pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) radars for measuring radar-target range, airborne radar development proceeded with more sophisticated high PRF Doppler radars where radar-target range and range rate were measured simultaneously. The use of Doppler (frequency) in signal processing allowed the separation of moving from nonmoving targets (ground), enabling the detection of moving targets in the presence of ground clutter. More recent developments in waveform generation and selection has resulted in the development of medium PRF radars, whereby a greater degree of tactical flexibility in target detection is achieved by combining the desirable features of both low and high PRF radars. Part of the available literature gives an overview, together with a specific example of the design and performance of an airborne medium PRF radar. Here, however, the systematic evolution of these radars is emphasized and the necessary theoretical background is developed for their performance calculations. Modern day airborne radars may be equipped with all three modes of operation, low, medium, and high PRF, allowing the operator to utilize the mode best suited for the tactical encounter. Low PRF and high PRF radars have been described elsewhere and are given here primarily for the sake of completeness and for the necessary background for developing medium PRF radar equations. They are also needed for developing the reasons why medium PRF radars came into being.     

Polish radar technology

Polish radar research and development since 1953 is reviewed, covering the development and production of surveillance radars, height finders, tracking radars, air traffic control (ATC) radars and systems, and marine and Doppler radars. Some current work, including an L-band ATC radar for enroute control, a weather channel for primary surveillance radar, signal detection in non-Gaussian clutter, adaptive MTI filters and postdetection filtering, and a basic approach to radar polarimetry, is examined.<>     

Walker Model for Radar Sensing of Rigid Target Fields

The objective of this primarily tutorial item is to describe a general model for the observable data and the appropriate data processing involved in sensing rigid target fields with coherent radars. Any number of radars may be involved, and the scene and each radar may be in any kind of motion-with no restrictions on motion through resolution cells during the coherent processing time of the radars. The motions are assumed to be known. To some extent motion parameters can be estimated from the radar data, e.g., by adaptive parameter adjustments in the data processing; however, this subject is beyond the scope of this discussion. In large measure, the analysis in this item highlights the central conceptual result obtained by J.L. Walker as described in [1] -a major work in radar theory.     

3R定位系统在最佳目标-雷达站几何下的误差传播特性

求解3R定位系统的最佳目标一雷达站几何是CW雷达定位体制研究中的关键问题之一。这种最佳几何是3个雷达天线位于正三角形的顶点,3个天线波束在空间正交。给出了利用最优化方法求解这种最佳几何的目标函数,并给出了3R定位体制的普适性误差椭球的二次曲面方程。研究结果表明,在上述最佳目标一雷达站几何下,椭球形误差二次曲面变为圆球形误差二次曲面。     

CCRS C/X-airborne synthetic aperture radar: An Rand D tool for the ERS-1 time frame

The airborne synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) system developed for the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) is described. It consists of two radars, at C-band and X-band. Each radar incorporates the following features: dual-channel receivers and dual-polarized antennas; a high quality, 7-look, real-time processor; a sensitivity time control for range-dependent gain control; a motion-compensation system for antenna steering in azimuth and elevation; and baseband I and Q signal phase rotation. The system also uses a high-power transmitter with a low-power back-up. The SAR maps to either side of the aircraft, at high or low resolution, at incidence angles which in high resolution span 0° to 80°. Radar operating parameters, data products, key specifications and the motion compensation scheme used are presented. Properties of the real-time imagery are discussed and examples of C-band SAR data in the three operating modes are given     

Where next for airborne AESA technology?

Airborne radar has evolved from early systems where almost all radar characteristics were fixed to today's highly flexible, software-driven systems. The most recent advance has been the widespread adoption of active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas, which has given the system designer unprecendented control of antenna characteristics. However, in common with most conventional radars, even these systems only operate within a limited frequency band. This argues that the next major advance will be the advent of wideband and multi-band systems, thus addressing the major remaining constraint facing the system designer and offering the capability for a step change in the functionality and performance of future systems.     

脉冲雷达凝视模式下低轨碎片相对运动特征分析

脉冲雷达凝视模式是一种探测低轨小碎片的重要方式,其中低轨碎片与雷达的径向运动关系是碎片统计分析的基础.为推算碎片相对雷达的运动特征,基于坐标系的相互转换,先利用雷达测站信息,得到可见碎片在地惯坐标系下的轨道信息;再逆向将目标不同时刻的位置转换至测站坐标系下,得到目标的径向运动特征.在不同要素（雷达波束指向、雷达仰角、测站纬度、目标距离）下,仿真及对比分析了各个参数对速度模糊度、雷达可见性等的影响,得出在凝视模式下目标相对雷达近似做径向匀加速运动,这为后续试验工作提供有力的依据.     

Radar network system to observe & analyze Tokyo Bay vessel traffic

A complete grasp of the actual vessel traffic flow by accurate observation is essential to carry out vessel traffic management, design of vessel traffic route, plan of port construction, etc. Up to now, the observation of vessel traffic has needed many efforts such as the use of a special ship or car equipped with radar observation systems and the observation staff preparation for a considerably long period. In order to perform accurate observation of vessel traffic without such efforts, the authors have developed a completely automated radar network system covering the main traffic route of Tokyo Bay. In August 2003, as the second remote radar station attaching AIS equipment was set at East Ogishima (the first was installed at the National Defense Academy in 2002), the observing range could be enlarged and cover most traffic routes in Tokyo Bay. These two radars can observe the vessel traffic in Tokyo Bay simultaneously so as to know the traffic flow accurately on the basis of analyzing the integrated radar data. In addition to the development of a radar network system, the software to analyze observed vessel traffic flow has been developed. This software has various functions such as tracking of ship's position, automatic determination of ship's size, animation of ship's movements, superposition of successive radar images, display of ship's tracks, calculation of ship's speed distribution, extraction of dangerous ship encounters using subjective judgment value and bumper model, etc. Some analyzed results on vessel traffic flow observed by the remote radars in January and September 2003 are shown in this paper.     

WARLOC: A High-Power Coherent 94 GHz Radar

This paper describes the development of a high-power, coherent radar system at W-band and discusses potential applications of radars with this new capability. Previous radars in this frequency band were limited by available power-amplifier technology to about 500 W of average power; WARLOC radar represents an increase in power, by 20 times, over previous coherent radars at 94 GHz. This performance improvement is possible due to the development of a gyroklystron amplifier specifically for this and future radars in this frequency band. The gyroklystron amplifier tubes deliver 100 kW peak power and 10 kW of average power at a center frequency of approximately 94 GHz. Other novel features of this radar include the use of highly overmoded waveguides and rotary joints for the transmission of power from the final power amplifier (FPA) to the antenna, and a high-power quasi-optical duplexer. The system uses a relatively large 1.8 m diameter (580-wavelength) Cassegrain antenna, which required the development of an antenna with an rms surface accuracy of 0.0025 in, to obtain long-range detection and identification of small objects. Test data show an antenna gain of 62.5 dB, confirming that the needed surface accuracy was achieved. Two mobile shelters house the radar system, permitting relocation to various test sites. WARLOC is presently operational at the Naval Research Laboratory's Chesapeake Bay Detachment facility, Maryland. It is being employed in radar imaging of airborne and surface objects, and in the scientific study of propagation effects and atmospheric physics phenomena.     

Millimeter Radar Instrumentation

Millimeter wavelength radars are used to study plasma effects associated with ionized flow fields of projectiles launched at hypersonic speeds into a free-flight ballistic range. Two CW Doppler radars, at frequencies of 35 and 70 Gc/s, measure the nose-on backscattering radar cross sections during flight. The design and performance of the two radars are described in detail. A signal simulator provides absolute calibration. The purpose is to measure changes that occur in the radar cross sections of hypersonic projectiles caused by highly ionized flow fields. Under certain conditions the nose-on backscattering radar cross section of a blunt-nosed metal projectile decreases drastically when a thin, shock-produced layer of ionized gas covers the projectile. A theoretical analysis of this effect is given. Comparisons between theoretical predictions and experimental data show good correlation.     

Comparison of Two Major Classes of Coherent Pulsed Radar Systems

Two classes of coherent radar types are analyzed to ascertain whether any significant advantages exist for a given system. The classes compared are those coherent radars which transmit a phasecoherent pulse-to-pulse RF carrier as opposed to those which transmit randomly phased RF carriers but store the coherent information at the radar for Doppler extraction. Rigorous new analytical development is avoided in favor of examination of the considerable existing literature, examination of practical limitations, and synthesis of generic solutions from key concepts. Examination is made of coherent radar classes from the viewpoints of reconnaissance ance and intelligence measurement, new radar design and devlopment, and electronic countermeasures vulnerability. The conclusion that the classes of coherent radars examined have a priori and a posteriori equivalent performance has significant implications not published in any reference source.     

Probability of Pulse Coincidence in a Multiple Radar Environment

Elementary probability theory is used to develop three formulas for the probability of two or more pulses being coincident at an observer's aircraft position in a multiple radar environment. The first formula is for nonscanning tracking type radars with different pulsewidths (PWs) and pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs), the second is for generically identical nonscanning radars with similar PWs and PRFs, and the third is for scanning type radars such as air search radars with similar PWs and PRFs. The probability of coincidence is related to the mean-time-between-coincidences (MTBC) and to the average coincidence rate. Two sample problems are given.     

Radar in the Soviet Union and Russia: a brief historical outline

This paper outlines the historical development of radar in the Soviet Union and Russia. Emphasis was given to only two classes of radars: surveillance radars for air defense (AD) systems; and radars for surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.     

Multifrequency Imaging of Radar Turntable Data

In recent years synthetic-aperture radars (SAR) have proven to be very useful two-dimensional imaging tools in various fields. Based on the synthetic-aperture concepts, different imaging modes are possibe with various operating characteristics. We describe a special case where circular-projection radar data are coherently processed to yield both azimuth and range resoultion. Experiments are performed using data obtained from the radar target scatter site (RAT SCAT) radar cross-section facility. Fairly good results are obtained which illustrate the versatility of coherent syntheticaperture processing of pulse-to-pulse high-range-resolution radar returns. A discrete multifrequency stepped and pulsed waveform is the basic transmitted signal from which range-Doppler images are generated. The RAT SCAT turntable facility allows interesting model targets to be illuminated from which radar images can then be computed. One such application of the processing is described.