Radar visibility model

• US 8,026,844 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerostar International LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.), Vista Research, Inc. (Guidepoint Global LLC)
• Original Assignee: Vista Research, Inc. (Guidepoint Global LLC)
• Inventors: Hancock, Dennis M., Rino, Charles L., Maresca, Joseph W. Jr., Fox, Philip A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GREGORY, BERNARR E
• Application Number:
  US11/811,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 342/27, 342/28, 342 52- 56, 342/59, 342/61, 342 63- 65, 342 73- 81, 342 89-103, 342/118, 342165-176, 342/179, 342189-197, 342134-159, 342/350, 356 401- 515, 434 1- 5
• US Class Current: 342/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/522 using transmissions of interrupted pulse modulated waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/723 by using numerical data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/886 for alarm systems alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/2922 by using a controlled threshold

Abstract

A method for determining whether a target of interest located within radar resolution cells in a target area of interest is detectable with a radar system from a location and elevation of the radar system is described. The method includes the steps of (a) developing a topographic map of the terrain in the target area of interest; (b) mapping the radar resolution cells onto the topographic map; (c) modeling radar signal propagation to each of the radar resolution cells on the topographic map; and (d) determining, using the results of the modeling, if the radar system has sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) to detect the target of interest.

Claims

1. A method for determining whether a target of interest located within radar resolution cells in a target area of interest is detectable with a radar system from a location and elevation of said radar system, comprising:

(a) developing a topographic map of the terrain in said target area of interest;

(b) mapping said radar resolution cells onto said topographic map;

(c) modeling radar signal propagation to each of said radar resolution cells on said topographic map; and

(d) determining, using the results of said modeling, if said radar system has sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) to detect said target of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said radar system is non-coherent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said radar signal propagation includes effects of multi-path.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said radar signal propagation includes effects of environmental conditions.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said topographic map includes a man-made feature.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said man-made feature is a building.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said topographic map includes vegetation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said vegetation includes a tree.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determination of the detectability of said target of interest is used in an algorithm to track said target of interest.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said radar system does not have sufficient SNR to detect said target of interest in one or more of said radar resolution cells and a track of said target of interest is maintained using said algorithm.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising optimizing said position and elevation of said radar system to maximize the coverage of said radar system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising optimizing said position and elevation of said radar system to obtain a specific coverage area for said radar system.