Radome Depolarization Effects on Monopulse Receiver Tracking Performance

摘要

Boresight Error (BSE), defined as the angular deviation between the true positionand the apparent position of a target as indicated by a radar, is an important figure of merit for a tracking radar. A significant contributor to system BSE is the protective radome. This research effort employed a GO technique to investigate the effects of a radome on BSE, expanding previous ray-trace receive techniques to include: (1) a uniquely defined/developed mathematical description for each surface within arbitrary multi-layer tapered radomes, (2) an 'ideal' taper function concept for obtaining optimum BSE prediction performance, (3) a generalized technique for calculating specular reflection points within the radome, and 4) the total retractive effects along ray propagation paths. Computer model results were compared with limiting case data (BSE = 0 deg), published experimental data, and production system acceptance test data. For all limiting cases, 'system' modeling error was less than .06 mRad. 'Excellent' (BSE within +/- 1 mRad) results were obtained using a hemispheric radome with a displaced aperture gimbal point; predicted BSE values were within +/-1 mRad of published experimental data. Likewise, BSE predictions for the production system were within +/-0.5 mRad of measured data over a 30 deg scan range. Ray refractive effects on BSE prediction were characterized using the validated model.... Radome depolarization, Boresight error prediction, Monopulse radar, Radome modeling, Multi-layer Radomes, Tapered Radomes.