Impact of tracking requirements on space-based radar (SBR) design

Abstract

The fundamental relationships necessary for the design of SBRs to perform both search and tracking functions are derived. The impact of tracking requirements including track update time, the number of beams required to establish a track and the number of targets kept in track is addressed. The effects of constellation size and background traffic identities are included. The derivation of these relationships is facilitated by introducing a coupling parameter defined as track occupancy, which couples the radar search and track equations for SBR applications. A radar design set is determined for a selected track occupancy or, by specifying one of the radar parameters, the track occupancy is calculated based on the assumption that both modes of operation (search and track) are required. Then, all other parameters can be determined. If the radar is designed to perform either search or track, but not both, the radar sizing is handled in a different way, which is also discussed.<>