Accuracy and Error Sens-itivities for Circular Scan Correlator Systems

Correlation guidance systems are being developed and implemented as a means of improving the performance of tactical and strategic missiles. Performance predictions for these systems often neglect the actual correlator structure due to the mathematical difficulties associated with analyzing practical operating correlation systems. In this paper accuracy predictions and error sensitivities to systematic error sources are presented for a circular scan correlation system using the tracking form of the modified difference squared correlation algorithm. In addition, the sine/cosine modulation required to generate the X and Y tracking commands is considered, as well as unequal range and azimuth resolution. The techniques developed to perform this analysis can be easily applied in a simplified fashion to noncircular scan systems and to correlators using a product correlation algorithm.