EEE381B Aerospace Systems & Avionics: Radar

EEE381B Aerospace Systems & Avionics
Radar
Part 2 The radar range equation
Ref: Moir & Seabridge 2006, Chapter 3,4 Dr Ron Smith
Outline
1.
2. 3.
4.
5. 6. 7.
Basic radar range equation Developing the radar range equation Design impacts Receiver sensitivity Radar cross-section Low observability Exercises
EEE381B Radar range equation - 2
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1. Basic radar range equation

There are many different versions of the radar range equation. We will use, and fully derive, the one presented below.
RMax
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Pt G 4 3 (4 ) S min
2 2
1.1 Components of the equation

Rmax the maximum range of the radar Pt average power of the transmitter G gain of the transmit/receive antenna wavelength of the operating frequency radar cross-section of the target Smin minimum detectable signal power
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1.2 Units of the equation
RMax
Pt G 4 3 (4 ) S min
2 2
units of RMax
Wm m m W
4
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Radar range equation - 5
2. Developing radar range equation
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2.1 Transmitted power
Recall from the previous lecture that the average transmitted power is a function of peak pulse power and the pulse duration:
Pt Pave
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Ppeak Tp
1 , where Tp PRF
2.2 Power density at target [4]
Recall that power density decreases as a function of distance traveled:
Pt G power density at range R 2 4R

2.3 Reflected power
The amount of power reflected back from a target is a function of the power density at the target and the targets radar cross-section, :
Pt G power density reflected 2 4R

2.4 Power density of echo at antenna
The power density of the returned signal, echo, again spreads as it travels back towards the radar receive antenna.
Pt G power density received at antenna 2 4R 4R 2
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2.5 Power of echo at receiver*
The antenna captures only a portion of the echoed power density as a function of the receive antennas effective aperture:
Pt G Pt G 22 power at receiver, Pr Ae , 2 4 3 4 (4 ) R (4 ) R
2G recalling that Ae 4
* In this equation the receiver is assumed to be all radar receive chain components except the antenna.
2.5.1 Relative power received range
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2.6 Minimum detectable signal power
Therefore a radar system is capable of detecting targets as long as the received echo power is greater than or equal to the minimum detectable signal power of the receive chain:
Pt G 22 for Pr S min , Rmax 4 3 (4 ) S min

3. Radar design impacts
A careful study of the radar range equation provides further insight as to the effect of several radar design decisions. In general the equation tells us that for a radar to have a long range, the transmitter must be high power, the antenna must be large and have high gain, and the receiver must be very sensitive.
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3.1 Power, Pt
Increases in transmitter power yield a surprisingly small increase in radar range, since range increases by the inverse fourth power.
For
example, a doubling of transmitter peak power results increases radar range by only 19%,
2 1.19
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3.2 Time-on-target, /Tp
The average power transmitted can also be increased by increasing the pulse duty cycle, sometimes referred to as the time-on-target. A combined doubling of the pulse width and doubling of the transmitter peak power will give a fourfold increase in average transmitted power, and ~41% increase in radar range.
4
4 1.41
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3.3 Gain, G
Antenna gain is a major consideration in the design of the radar system.

For
a parabolic dish, doubling the antenna size (diameter) will yield a fourfold increase in gain and a doubling of radar range.
For a dish G Ap or ( D / 2) 2 and Rm ax 4 G 2 or

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D4
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3.4 Receiver sensitivity, Smin
Similar to that of transmitter power, increases in receiver sensitivity yield relatively small increases in radar range.
Only
19% range increase for a halving of sensitivity, and at the expense of false alarms.
Receiver design is a complex subject beyond the scope of this course, see 3.5.3. Simplistically, the smaller the radar pulse width, the larger the required receiver bandwidth and the larger the receiver noise floor.
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3.4.1 Receiver bandwidth
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3.4.2 Signal-to-noise
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3.4.3 Receiver threshold
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4. Radar cross-section,
The radar cross-section of a target is a measure of its size as seen by a radar, expressed as an area, m2. It is a complex function of the geometric crosssection of the target at the incident angle of the radar signal, as well as the directivity and reflectivity of the target. The RCS is a characteristic of the target, not the radar.
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4.1.1 RCS of a metal plate
Large RCS, but decreases rapidly as the incident angle deviates from the normal.
4a b
2
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4.1.2 RCS of a metal sphere
Small RCS, but is independent of incident angle.
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4.1.3 RCS of a metal cylinder
RCS can be quite small or fairly large depending on orientation.
2ra 2
4 r
3 4 2
, as viewed
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, from the end

4.1.4 RCS of a trihedral corner reflector
The RCS of a trihedral (corner) is both large and relatively independent of incident angle.
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5. Low Observability
From the previous discussion on the radar cross-section of targets, it should be obvious that determining the radar cross-section of an airplane is a complicated task. The art of designing an aircraft to specifically have a low RCS is known as low observability, or more commonly known as stealth. Stealth is a relatively new technology,
even
full RCS prediction is only 2 decades old.
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5.1 History* of stealth aircraft [1]
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5.2 Aircraft high RCS areas [1]
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5.3 Low observability design areas [1]
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5.3.1 Low observability design example[1]
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5.3.2 Low observability design example[1]
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5.4 Comparative RCS [1]
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6. In-class exercises
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6.1 Quick response exercise # 1
Think carefully about the derivation of the radar range equation just presented. Is there a potentially significant loss component missing?
Hint:
recall the simple link equation from your very early lectures.
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6.2 Quick response exercise # 2
Why have designers of stealth aircraft sought to blend the physical transitions / features of the aircraft?
Will reduction in your aircraft RCS alone make you invisible to the enemy?
How
else might they find you?

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6.3 Radar range equation calculation
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6.3 Radar range equation calculation
The US Navy AN/SPS-48 Air Search Radar is a medium-range, three-dimensional (height, range, and bearing) air search radar. Published technical specifications include:
Operating frequency 2900-3100 MHz Transmitter peak power 60-2200 kW PRF 161-1366 Hz, and pulse widths of 9 / 3 sec Phased array antenna with a gain of 38.5 dB
For its published maximum range of 250 miles for a nominal target such as the F-18, what is the receiver chain sensitivity in bBm?
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References
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
6)
Moir & Seabridge, Military Avionics Systems, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2006. [Sections 2.6 & 2.7] David Adamy, EW101 - A First Course in Electronic Warfare, Artech House, 2000. [Chapters 3,4 & 6] George W. Stimson, Introduction to Airborne Radar, Second Edition, SciTch Publishing, 1998. Principles of Radar Systems, student laboratory manual, 38542-00, LabVolt (Quebec) Ltd, 2006. John C. Vaquer, US Navy Surface Officer Warfare School Documents, Combat Systems Engineering : Radar, http://www.fas.org/man/dod101/navy/docs/swos/cmd/fun12/12-1/sld001.htm Mark A. Hicks, "Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"
Winter 2009
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EEE381B Aerospace Systems & Avionics

1. Basic radar range equation

1.1 Components of the equation

Winter 2009 EEE381B Radar range equation - 4

1.2 Units of the equation

Radar range equation - 5

2. Developing radar range equation

Radar range equation - 6

2.1 Transmitted power

2.2 Power density at target [4]

Recall that power density decreases as a function of distance traveled:

Pt G power density at range R 2 4R

2.3 Reflected power

Pt G power density reflected 2 4R

2.4 Power density of echo at antenna

Pt G power density received at antenna 2 4R 4R 2

Radar range equation - 10

2.5 Power of echo at receiver*

2.5.1 Relative power received range

Radar range equation - 12

2.6 Minimum detectable signal power

Pt G 22 for Pr S min , Rmax 4 3 (4 ) S min

3. Radar design impacts

Radar range equation - 14

Radar range equation - 15

3.2 Time-on-target, /Tp

Antenna gain is a major consideration in the design of the radar system.

For a dish G Ap or ( D / 2) 2 and Rm ax 4 G 2 or

3.4 Receiver sensitivity, Smin

3.4.1 Receiver bandwidth

Radar range equation - 19

Radar range equation - 20

3.4.3 Receiver threshold

Radar range equation - 21

4.1.1 RCS of a metal plate

Radar range equation - 23

4.1.2 RCS of a metal sphere

Small RCS, but is independent of incident angle.

Radar range equation - 24

4.1.3 RCS of a metal cylinder

RCS can be quite small or fairly large depending on orientation.

, from the end

4.1.4 RCS of a trihedral corner reflector

Radar range equation - 26

full RCS prediction is only 2 decades old.

Radar range equation - 27

5.1 History* of stealth aircraft [1]

Radar range equation - 28

5.2 Aircraft high RCS areas [1]

Radar range equation - 29

5.3 Low observability design areas [1]

Radar range equation - 30

5.3.1 Low observability design example[1]

Radar range equation - 31

5.3.2 Low observability design example[1]

Radar range equation - 32

5.4 Comparative RCS [1]

Radar range equation - 33