Limitations Imposed on the Resolution of Coherent Radar Systems by Atmospheric Turbulence.
Abstract
The resolution of a radar system or its ability to produce images showing fine detail of a target is limited by various factors. On the one hand there are deterministic factors such as the size of the antenna used in the system, and on the other hand there are random or nondeterministic factors such as the noise in the receiving system or the turbulence of the atmosphere that distort the electromagnetic waves propagating to and from the target. Up to the present the limitation imposed on the resolution of the radar system by atmospheric turbulence has not been a matter of great concern as the effects are generally small when the frequency of operation of the radar is in the lower portions of the microwave spectrum. However, when one considers a millimeter wave or optical wave radar, then the effects of atmospheric turbulence can become the dominant or controlling factor. This memorandum attempts to indicate the magnitude of the problem by finding the limitations imposed by atmospheric turbulence or those radar systems that function by sensing the angle-of-arrival of the return signal from the target. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731736
Entities
People
- M. R. Wohlers
Organizations
- Grumman