Chapter 10
Multi-channel Radar Systems
The radar, as the main all-weather means of information acquisition on targets
position in airspace, has high requirements related to the amount of information
received, maximum operational range, high noise immunity and accuracy of coordinate measurement. A number of such problems posed for the radar location are
solved by multi-channel radars, in which information on a target is received not
through one, but through several frequency or spatial channels simultaneously.
Multi-channel stations are receiving simultaneously on several frequencies, but
at one point (one antenna). All channels of the multi-channel radar are used simultaneously in the interests of joint processing of information on a target. This method
significantly increases the radar efficiency or, in other words, significantly increases
the amount of information retrieved by the station from airspace.
In accordance with the abovementioned, multi-channel radars can be divided into
spatial-multi-channel and frequency-multi-channel radars. The development of the
latter was facilitated by the success of antenna technology and automatic signal
processing technology.
In a frequency-multi-channel radar, elements that reproduce target signals are
spaced in frequency. The target is irradiated simultaneously at several (according to
number of channels) frequencies.
In a spatial-multi-channel radar, elements that percept target signals are located
at different points in airspace. In such radars, stationary elements of the system form
many beams (two or more). Radar directivity characteristics are obtained as a result
of joint processing of signals, received by separate antenna elements.
A special case of spatial-multi-channel radars are widely used monopulse radars.
Especially often monopulse radars are used for automatic high-precision target
tracking in angular coordinates.
Monopulse (single-pulse) method of radar operation has got its name as a result
of its comparison with the method of conical scanning of radio beam in determining
the angular coordinates of target.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. A. Akmaykin et al., Theoretical Foundations of Radar Location
and Radio Navigation, Springer Aerospace Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6514-8_10
181
Multi-channel Radar Systems
The radar, as the main all-weather means of information acquisition on targets
position in airspace, has high requirements related to the amount of information
received, maximum operational range, high noise immunity and accuracy of coordinate measurement. A number of such problems posed for the radar location are
solved by multi-channel radars, in which information on a target is received not
through one, but through several frequency or spatial channels simultaneously.
Multi-channel stations are receiving simultaneously on several frequencies, but
at one point (one antenna). All channels of the multi-channel radar are used simultaneously in the interests of joint processing of information on a target. This method
significantly increases the radar efficiency or, in other words, significantly increases
the amount of information retrieved by the station from airspace.
In accordance with the abovementioned, multi-channel radars can be divided into
spatial-multi-channel and frequency-multi-channel radars. The development of the
latter was facilitated by the success of antenna technology and automatic signal
processing technology.
In a frequency-multi-channel radar, elements that reproduce target signals are
spaced in frequency. The target is irradiated simultaneously at several (according to
number of channels) frequencies.
In a spatial-multi-channel radar, elements that percept target signals are located
at different points in airspace. In such radars, stationary elements of the system form
many beams (two or more). Radar directivity characteristics are obtained as a result
of joint processing of signals, received by separate antenna elements.
A special case of spatial-multi-channel radars are widely used monopulse radars.
Especially often monopulse radars are used for automatic high-precision target
tracking in angular coordinates.
Monopulse (single-pulse) method of radar operation has got its name as a result
of its comparison with the method of conical scanning of radio beam in determining
the angular coordinates of target.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. A. Akmaykin et al., Theoretical Foundations of Radar Location
and Radio Navigation, Springer Aerospace Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6514-8_10
181