3-D Radar Based on Phase-in-Space Principle

A height-finding technique utilizing the relative phase between a series of point sources of a traveling-wave array is described. The point sources in the focal region of a torus antenna are used to control the phase of the antenna elevation pattern in space. Signals received from a given beam angle will arrive at each terminal of the traveling-wave feed with a different phase. By comparing this phase with a reference phase, the angular direction of an arriving plane wave can be measured with considerable accuracy. Thus a radar system with a single antenna and feed structure can be employed to yield instantaneous height coverage along with the usual range data.