Comparisons of Radar Refraction Correction Computer Programs at Selected Test Ranges

摘要

A detailed comparison of atmospheric refraction computer programs used at various National and Service Ranges has been made. This comparison shows that the data correction programs investigated give one order of magnitude better agreement when all are given the same refractive index profile than they do when they are allowed to use that surface value to determine the profile by their own internal methods. A profile with a strong super-refractive layer was also used in comparing the programs. Widely differing refractive bending effects, is less than 10 feet. The report shows that the numerical methods of the various refraction correction programs produce similar results with similar input data. It also shows that care should be exercised to assure that data taken at one range and processed at another is refraction corrected with atmospheric data for the range at which the data was taken. Numerical methods of refraction correction are similar at the various ranges but local atmospheres are not. (Author)