Phased array radar tracking with non-uniformly spaced measurements

Abstract

A phased array antenna used in conjunction with a mechanically scanned or rotating radar can provide enhanced target tracking capability. The use of a single electronically-scanned aperture mounted on a rotating pedestal to obtain 360 degree coverage represents a cost-effective solution when compared with multiple-aperture approaches. The agile beam affords both flexibility and robustness with regard to radar resource management and multiple-target tracking capability. The key to realizing these benefits is the scheduling of additional electronic scans per revisit to achieve higher effective tracking rates than with conventional track-while-scan (TWS) operation. Frequency agility is employed to de-correlate the target echoes for the close temporal spacing of radar measurements which can occur. The paper describes the approach and derives performance bounds relative to uniform tracking-rate systems. Applications include air-traffic control radar as well as precision tracking and fire control systems.