Resolution of low elevation radar targets and images using a shifted array correlation technique

Abstract

A description is given of image resolving, shifted array correlation (ISAC), an angle-of-arrival technique that computes image signal reflection coefficients that maximize the correlation as the elevation sector is scanned by steering vectors. Accurate low-elevation-angle resolution is obtained by shifting the array to increase the effective aperture. Computer simulation results are presented to show some of the performance characteristics of the ISAC technique as applied to the low-elevation target problem. Numerical analysis predicts the experimental problem of resolving low-elevation-angle radar targets. Target resolution near the horizon, on the order of 1/8 of an array beamwidth, requires array signal-to-noise ratios in excess of 30 dB.<>