Experimental evaluation of tracking errors at low-elevation target angles for monopulse radars

摘要

Problem of low-angle, low-altitude target tracking in the presence of multipath, which, causes large angle errors is presented in this paper. This is examined for low sidelobe monopulse radar over a flat earth. A detailed multipath model is used to simulate the ground surface and the reflected signal is included in the monopulse radar processing simulation. Using this model angular tracking error is obtained. In this paper a new test methodology is incorporated in order to estimate angular tracking error of monopulse radar accurately. The angular tracking error is initially mathematically modeled and simulated for ground illuminations for various grazing angles & beamwidths. Simulation is followed by an experimental verification and validation inside anechoic chamber. Effect of grazing angle, phase, ground reflectivity, beamwidth on the angular tracking errors are analyzed. The measured results are correlated with the simulated results. All the Simulations and experimental measurements are carried out at X-Band.