Counter-intuitive results cast in an electronic warfare framework

Four sample electronic warfare (EW) problems are described in an effort to stimulate thought on various basic issues and assumptions encountered in EW and other fields. The problems are choosing a better sensor, transmitter, sequence, and search strategy     

Predicting the visibility of LEO satellites

We present a simple algorithm to determine the visibility-time function of a circular low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite at a terminal on the Earth's surface. The simplicity of the algorithm is based on approximating the ground trace of the satellite (which is not a great circle due to Earth's rotation) during a time interval of the order of in-view period, by a great-circle are. This enables us to use spherical geometry to compute the location and time epoch of the observation of the closest approach of the satellite's ground trace to the terminal. This is also the epoch of the observation of the maximum elevation angle from the terminal to the satellite. Applying a result derived relating the maximum elevation angle to the in-view period, we obtain the visibility-time function of the satellite at the terminal. Numerical results illustrate the accuracy of the algorithm for a wide range of LEO orbit altitudes     

Bistatic radar without transmitted signal-covert altimetry concept

A technique for performing altimetric functions (and possibly very-low-resolution imaging radar) without the transmission of a signal is suggested. The system could benefit an invasive aerospace platform that needs to remain totally electronically silent. The concept uses naturally occurring galactic noise as the illumination signal. A rapid and low-cost processor is also suggested. The results developed are also useful for the particular case of low probability of intercept (LPI) radar in which the transmitter emits a broadband Gaussian-like signal and the receivers cannot locally generate the transmitted reference. Another derivation of the arcsine law is provided along with a measure of its efficiency compared with an optimal receiver