Search radar adaptive video processor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsAlexander Kossiakoff, James R. Austin
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the resolution of targets in the presence of s distributed clutter as sea waves, rain, land, clouds and chaff. More specifically, real air targets in the proximity with this type of clutter are detected by deriving an adaptive threshold against which all radar video signals are compared. The design of the instant invention is based on a statistical knowledge of the temporal and spatial characteristics of distributed clutter so that only the magnitude of the clutter in the immediate vicinity of the target need be measured.
Claims14
An adaptive radar video processor for segregating clutter from target signals in radar returns composed of a plurality of range cells, said video processor comprising:
- means for storing periodically updated video signals corresponding to each range cell in said radar returns,
- a first means for gaining access to the stored video signal corresponding to a particular range cell of interest, said range cell of interest being defined as the center tap cell,
- a second means for gaining access to the stored video signals corresponding to a plurality of range cells that surround said center tap cell,
- averaging means for producing from the average value of said video signals corresponding to said surrounding range cells an average value signal representing the mean value of clutter amplitude in the vicinity of said center tap cell,
- means for combining said center tap video signal with said signal representing said mean clutter value to produce an output signal corresponding to the instantaneous signal-to-clutter ratio,
- a source of adjustable reference voltage, the amplitude of said reference voltage providing a false alarm threshold corresponding to a desired minimum signal-to-clutter ratio, and
- means for comparing the output signal from said combining means with said reference voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.