Limits on the detection of low-Doppler targets by a High Frequency hybrid sky-surface wave radar system

A high frequency (HF) radar system comprising a skywave transmit channel and surface wave receive channel is studied. Simple analytic expressions for the resolution of this radar system are determined by considering the spreading of radar signals in Doppler and angle during the ionospheric propagati...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in2008 IEEE Radar Conference pp. 1 - 4
Main Author Riddolls, R.J.
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.05.2008
Subjects
Doppler radar
Frequency
Hafnium
high frequency radar
ocean clutter
Oceans
over-the-horizon radar
Radar cross section
Radar detection
Sea surface
Signal analysis
Signal resolution
Surface waves
Online AccessGet full text
ISBN1424415381
9781424415380
ISSN1097-5659
DOI10.1109/RADAR.2008.4720866

Cover

More Information
Summary:A high frequency (HF) radar system comprising a skywave transmit channel and surface wave receive channel is studied. Simple analytic expressions for the resolution of this radar system are determined by considering the spreading of radar signals in Doppler and angle during the ionospheric propagation. The detection of ocean surface targets within the patch of ocean surface illuminated by the radar beam is then determined by comparing the radar cross section of the ocean patch with typical vessel radar cross sections. It is shown that a hybrid sky-surface wave radar can detect low-Doppler ships down to 30 dBm 2 cross section during the day and down to 40 dBm 2 at night, during calm ionospheric conditions. During periods of spread F ionospheric turbulence, where the temporal correlation time decreases by an order of magnitude, the corresponding vessel detection capability decreases by two orders of magnitude.
ISBN:1424415381
9781424415380
ISSN:1097-5659
DOI:10.1109/RADAR.2008.4720866