Effect of leading edge jitter on MTI improvement factor

The effect of system disturbances on the improvement factor of moving target indicator (MTI) processors is discussed. The effects are determined analytically and are confirmed by a simulation of a generic MTI processor. The improvement factor for both point and distributed clutter is considered, with distributed clutter placing the more stringent requirements on system stability. Pulse risetime and different statistical models for the disturbances are considered. Equations and curves relating improvement factor to disturbance allow a system analyst to determine the allowable disturbance to achieve a given improvement factor. A useful rule of thumb for the effect of leading edge jitter on improvement factor, reasonably accurate over a wide range of conditions, is given.<>