On the Definition of Radar Range Resolution for Targets of Greatly Differing RCS

Conventional radar system design uses only waveform bandwidth to measure the range resolution. This paper examines the effect of both bandwidth and the difference in target radar cross section on range resolution. In the context of the subject scenario, the nature of the pulse-compressed return is studied, and a commonly used measurement definition of range resolution that assumes equally reflective targets is extended to account for the difference in target reflectivity as well. Results are presented as an application of the derived results to depict how resolution performance is affected by various parameters and how a more comprehensive definition of range resolution can be used during the system design.