Low-angle tracking using a multifrequency sampled aperture radar

The improvements that can be achieved in low-angle radar by using a sampled aperture radar (SAMPAR) and a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm are discussed. The SAMPAR system described is unique in that it has a wide-ranging multifrequency capability. The ML technique is also unique because its estimation is based on the use of a highly refined signal model. It is shown, by using both simulated data and real data, that this combination, i.e., a SAMPAR system and the modified ML algorithm, provides a multiple signal resolution that exceeds any reported in the open literature. The measured data used in this study were recorded using a 32-element sampled aperture antenna on an over-water path