Doppler analysis of low PRF radars

Abstract

Low pulse repetition frequency (PRF) radars, used primarily for search and target tracking, obtain radar-target range as the primary measured parameter and are ambiguous in range-rate computation. Additionally, because of aliasing, multiple spurious targets will appear in the Doppler data when only a single target with sufficient acceleration is present. Combination of ambiguity and multiple target problems, considerably limits the usefulness of Doppler analysis of low PRF radars. In this paper it will be shown that through time correlation and Doppler signal processing, unambiguous target acceleration values can be obtained in low PRF radars. In addition to accurate acceleration values, the acceleration Doppler processed data can be used to determine the presence of additional targets or debris in the tracking range gate; a valuable tool in accident and mal-function investigation.