A High Bandwidth X Band Monopulse Comparator for Tracking Radio Detection and Ranging

Abstract

Mono-pulse antennas in radio detection and ranging (RADAR) has been a significant focus. The accurate localization and tracking of targets remain fundamental challenges in various RADAR applications. This paper introduces a cutting-edge X-band mono-pulse comparator (MPC) designed for exceptional tracking performance. The precise target tracking system lies the eight-port mono-pulse comparator. Its four input channels—sum, azimuth difference, elevation difference, and a guarded port—feed into a sophisticated network that generates four output channels: sum, azimuth, elevation, and a termination port. This high-bandwidth design enables the MPC to deliver accurate angle measurements, ensuring effective target tracking. The inclusion of a mono-pulse antenna in the design proves instrumental in reducing side lobes, contributing to improved tracking accuracy. The high-bandwidth MPC demonstrates superior target azimuth measurement compared to angular position estimation. When integrated with an active antenna array unit, the MPC achieves exceptional performance metrics, including a side lobe of better than –30 dB and a null depth exceeding –50 dB. This high-bandwidth mono-pulse comparator excels in providing a return loss or voltage standing wave ratio surpassing –10 dB across a bandwidth of over 1 GHz.