Angle of Arrival Fluctuations for Millimeter Waves Propagating in a TurbulentAtmosphere Near the Earth

摘要

This document is concerned with the effect of atmospheric turbulence on thetracking error of a millimeter wave radar transmitting over a propagation path near the ground, as in the case of one used for the guidance of a direct-fire, surface-to-surface, anti-tank missile. The objective is to estimate the likely angle-of-arrival error, and, based on general theory and specific experimental results found in the literature, to assess the reliability of the estimate. The document discusses the appropriateness and limitations of the Rytov approximation used by V.I. Tatarsky and others for theoretical calculations relevant to the error estimate. It also discusses the applicability of certain data obtain by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Georgia Institute of Technology in a measurement program at Flatville, Illinois. The primary conclusion is that the angle-of-arrival error will probably be significant. A program to perform measurements in a greater variety of environmental conditions than those encountered at Flatville and to include direct angle-of-arrival measurements is recommended.