www.radartutorial.eu www.radartutorial.eu Radar Basics

Radar Signal Processor

The signal processor is that part of the system which separates targets from clutter on the basis of Doppler content and amplitude characteristics. In modern radar sets the conversion of radar signals to digital form is typically accomplished after IF amplification and phase sensitive detection. At this stage they are referred to as video signals, and have a typical bandwidth in the range 250 KHz to 5 MHz. The Sampling Theorem therefore indicates sampling rates between about 500 KHz and 10 MHz. Such rates are well within the capabilities of modern analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

The signal processor includes the following components:

The complete proceeding may also be implemented as software in digital receivers.

Figure 1: Information flow in radar signal processing

I&Q Phase-
detector
MTI
Detector
Plot-
extractor
Plot-
processor
Plot-
combiner
Sensor
tracker
Multiple
Sensor
tracker
Σ
ΔAz
ΔEl
Azimuth data
SSR plots
time
IF
thresholds
data from
other sensors
(e.g. Weather)
Intermediate
Frequency
bipolar
video
unipolar
video
reports
plots
tracks

Figure 1: Information flow in radar signal processing

I&Q Phase-
detector
MTI
Detector
Plot-
extractor
Plot-
processor
Plot-
combiner
Sensor
tracker
Multiple
Sensor
tracker
Σ
ΔAz
ΔEl
Azimuth data
SSR plots
time
IF
thresholds
data from
other sensors
(e.g. Weather)
Intermediate
Frequency
bipolar
video
unipolar
video
reports
plots
tracks

Figure 1: Information flow in radar signal processing

The plot extraction and plot processing elements are the final stage in the primary radar sensor chain. The essential process is that of generating and processing plots as distinct from processing waveforms. The main components are:

Figure 2: The Plot Extraktor A 1000 contains all devices of the radar signal processing. (© Aerotechnica Ltd.)

Figure 2: The Plot Extraktor A 1000 contains all devices of the radar signal processing. (© Aerotechnica Ltd.)

The radar data chain can include the following devices:

(The distinction between a correlator and a tracker being, that in the case of a correlator the plot positions are not changed by the process.)

Some of these devises can carried out as a software-modul after the digitalizing of the radar data. The Plot Extractor of the Ukrainian company Aerotechnica corporation (see the picture) is a Radar Data Extractors for all types of radars an is designed to upgrade analog radars.