A method for the prediction of detection ranges for pulsed doppler radar

Modern radar systems must provide greater detection ranges both against high and low altitude targets because of the significant advances in weapon speed and range. Extended range indicates that the power transmitted by the radar must be increased. It follows, that ground return becomes a problem even at high altitudes. There are at present three basic types of radars which are (1) pulsed, (2) continuous wave, and (3) pulsed doppler radar. The conventional pulsed radar now closely approaches the theoretical optimum performance; however, it does not have the inherent ability to distinguish between ground return and moving targets. The continuous wave radar has the ability to distinguish between fixed and moving targets but does not retain the time form of the information and also the continuous wave radar has practical difficulties which limit the usefulness of this system in airborne applications. The pulsed doppler radar detects the doppler frequency shift of moving targets, as in the continuous wave radar, while retaining the time form of the returned information as in pulsed radar systems. It is important to be able to evaluate and predict the operation of a radar as well as the comparison of different radars. Range performance and detection range capabilities are methods by which radars are compared and their operation predicted. Statement of the problem. It is the purpose of this study to present a method for computing the range performance of an air-interceptor pulsed doppler radar in terms of detection ranges. The analysis of the detection range performance includes target scintillation --The Problem and Definitions of Terms Used, pages 1-2