Measurement of point-of-impact based on microwave PNCW radar and Kalman filtration

Abstract

Radars based on digital modulation of the transmitted continuous wave by pseudo-noise sequence belong to a wider xCW radar family. Simpler members of this family enable measurement of target speed, while more complex structures are capable of measuring also the target range. Although the FMCW radars are best known and widely used, for definite applications, the pseudo-noise CW (PNCW) radars can be beneficial. This concerns, for example, military applications, where this structure shows a high immunity against interferences and jamming, and enables relatively easy operation of more sensors in a close area. That is why the PNCW radars are good candidates for sensors employed in the active defense systems. These modern defense methods are especially developed for protection of military vehicles (MVs) and are based on detection of threat missiles, and their elimination by suitable active counter-measures. The presented sensor is formed by the microwave low-range PNCW radar and two couples of small antennas, fixed on the protected MV. In spite of its simplicity, the setup is capable of detecting threat missiles shot even from close vicinity of the MV, and evaluating the point of impact and time of impact of the missile with respect to the MV. The performed practical tests proved satisfactory functionality of the developed solution.