Method and apparatus for tracking targets from direct and multipath reflected radar signals

• US 5,270,718 A
• Filed: 08/21/1992
• Issued: 12/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technology Service Corporation
• Original Assignee: Technology Service Corporation
• Inventors: DiDomizio, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US07/933,264
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 342/147, 342/148, 342/149, 342/153, 342/154, 342/157, 342/158, 342/74, 342/75, 342/80
• US Class Current: 342/147
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/4418 with means for eliminating radar-dependent errors in angle measurements, e.g. multipath effects

Abstract

A method and apparatus to determine angles θ₁ and θ₂ between paths of two sets of reflected radar waves and a radar boresight utilizes the electrical angles β₁ or β₂ and two successive radar target observations. One set of radar waves may travel a path from a target and the second set may travel a multipath from the same target. Alternatively, the two sets of radar waves may follow direct paths from two targets. For coherent radar hardware, signals from two halves of an array are processed through a linear coherent receiver, analog-to-digital converter and processing unit with associated memory. The memory contains a database and program which calculates the electrical angles β₁ and β₂ and angles θ₁, and θ₂. For non-coherent radar hardware, mixers, a phase detector and two magnitude detectors are substituted for the linear coherent receiver.

Claims

1. A method for tracking at least one target with the aid of a computer and using an array having a first array portion which emits a signal A in response to radar waves striking the first array portion, and a second array portion which emits a signal B in response to radar waves striking the second array portion, and wherein a first set of radar waves strike the array at an angle θ

₁ relative to boresight and a second set of radar waves strike the array at an angle θ

₂ relative to boresight wherein one wishes to know at least one of angles θ

₁ and θ

₂ comprising the steps of;

a. providing a computer with a database for the method which includes;

(i) a distance d between the first array portion and the second array portion;

(ii) a wavelength λ

of the radar waves;

(iii) a set of equations including;

##EQU19## where ae^jφ

is a ratio of a return from the direct path to the return from the multipath;

##EQU20## wherein φ

is a phase of the radar waves striking the array;

##EQU21## where B₁ and B₂ are magnitudes of successive signals emitted from the second array portion and correspond to successive looks which correspond to positions (x₁,y₁) and (x₂,y₂) on a monopulse contour defined by (x-C_x)² +(y-C_y)² =R² ##EQU22## b. measuring first values of signals A and B, A₁ and B₁ ;

c. generating in the computer values for x₁,y₁ from the measured first values and the database;

d. measuring second values of signals A and B, A₂ and B₂ ;

e. generating in the computer values for x₂,y₂ from the measured second values and the database;

f. generating in the computer a value for θ

₁ for x₁, y₁, x₂, y₂ ##EQU23## and the database; and

g. adjusting one of a radar tracking unit and a weapon to an angle of θ

₁ from the boresight.

2. The method of claim 1 also comprising the step of generating in the computer a value for θ

₂.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a single target and travel a direct path from the single target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from the same single target and travel a multipath during which they are reflected before striking the array.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a first target and travel a direct path from the first target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from a second target and travel a direct path from the second target to the array.

5. An apparatus for tracking at least one target from a first set of reflected radar waves and a second set of reflected radar waves from coherent radar hardware comprising

a. an array having a top portion and a bottom portion which receive reflected radar waves and generate signals in response thereto;

b. a linear coherent receiver connected to the array for receiving and coherently down-converting signals from the array;

c. an analog-to-digital converter connected to the linear coherent receiver;

d. memory containing a program for calculating electrical target angles β

₁ and β

₂ and at least one angle θ

₁ and θ

₂ between a radar boresight and a path of a reflected radar wave; and

e. a processing unit connected to the memory and the analog-to-digital converter.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a single target and travel a direct path from the single target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from the same single target and travel a multipath during which they are reflected before striking the array.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a first target and travel a direct path from the first target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from a second target and travel a direct path from the second target to the array.

8. An apparatus for tracking at least one target from a first set of reflected radar waves and a second set of reflected radar waves from non-coherent radar hardware comprising:

a. an array having a top portion and a bottom portion which receive reflected radar waves and generate signals A and B in response thereto;

b. at least one signal mixer connected to the array which converts signals A and B into signals A_IF and B_IF ;

c. a phase detector which receives signals A_IF and B_IF and generates a phase value;

d. a first magnitude detector which receives signal A_IF and converts it to a signal |A|;

e. a second magnitude detector which receives signal B_IF and converts it to a signal |B|;

f. an analog-to-digital converter connected to the phase detector, first magnitude detector and second magnitude detector;

g. memory containing a program for calculating electrical target angles β

₁ and β

₂ and at least one angle θ

₁ and θ

₂ between a radar boresight and a path of a reflected radar signal; and

h. a processing unit connected to the memory and the analog-to-digital converter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a single target and travel a direct path from the single target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from the same single target and travel a multipath during which they are reflected before striking the array.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first set of radar waves are reflected from a first target and travel a direct path from the first target to the array and the second set of radar waves are reflected from a second target and travel a direct path from the second target to the array.