Multiple target discrimination using E-pulse techniques

When two radar targets are illuminated together, they act as a system with natural frequencies different from those of the isolated targets. Mutual coupling could thus reduce the effectiveness of discrimination since the E-pulses are generated from measurement of isolated targets. To study this effect, the special case of a system of parallel thin cylinders was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The trajectory of the lowest order modes associated with a system of two wires of differing length is shown. The system sn´s (natural mode frequencies) are seen to spiral around the sn´s of the isolated targets and then diverge toward the origin as separation distance is increased. Since the system sn´s spiral near the isolated target sn´s for close spacing, it seems plausible that discrimination of a system of closely spaced targets might be possible using E-pulses based on the sn´s of the isolated targets.<>