Multiple-Target Data Handling with a Monopulse Radar

Recognition and application of fundamental signal-gain relationships inherent to monopulse radars provide the means for determining the angle offset pattern and hence, angular position of all targets within the beam of a monopulse radar. With this method some 20 to 40 targets can be tracked with dynamic accuracies that approach the static accuracy of the radar, thus permitting precise determinations of their individual trajectories and cross sections. These determinations can be made in real or nonreal time, as desired, by using a small portion of the storage capacity of the digital computer normally utilized with range instrumentation systems to calibrate, store and process information in accordance with the data operations described herein. The main advantage of this digital data processing scheme lies in the elimination of a number of complications which characterized earlier methods.