Method for optimising the detection of marine targets and radar implementing such a method

#This application claims priority to foreign French patent application No. FR 1600669, filed on Apr. 22, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#The present invention relates to a method for optimising the detection of marine targets. It also relates to a radar implementing such a method.

#In the field of the detection of marine targets, one technical problem to be solved is the optimisation and the auto-adaptation in real time of the radar waveform used for the detection of the targets, depending on the operational requirements and on the environment acquired and analysed by the radar in real time. Contrary to land, the maritime environment perceived by the radar fluctuates (weather, current, waves, etc.).

#Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given with reference to the appended drawings, which show:

#FIG. 1, a prior-art method;

#FIG. 2, an illustration of the method according to the invention;

#FIG. 1 illustrates a waveform-selection solution according to the prior art. An operator 1 manually makes the choice of a waveform from a plurality of possible waveforms 11, 12, 13. This choice is made depending on the operational mission 2 and the environment, and in particular on the meteorological conditions 3. Depending on these elements, the choice is made with the objective of optimising the ability of the radar to make a detection 4. The drawbacks of this solution were described above.

#FIG. 2 illustrates possible phases of implementation of a method according to the invention. By virtue of the invention, the radar is capable of evaluating its environment in all its detection domain in order to analyse and deduce therefrom, depending on the characteristics of the mission, the waveform most adapted to this mission, i.e. the optimal waveform. In other words, this waveform is that which ensures the maximum detection performance. To this end, the method according to the invention includes at least two phases.

#In a first phase 21, the environment is analysed in all the detection domain of the radar, then, in a second phase 22, once the environment is known, the optimal detection waveform is automatically generated depending on the operational requirements of the mission and on the knowledge of the environment. The mission is in particular a patrol or maritime surveillance mission. It is for example performed in the context of a sea rescue. In this example, a radar according to the invention then has the mission of detecting the one or more marine targets to be rescued.