Analysis of the Potential Space Resolution in Multi-position Surface Movement Radar System

Abstract

Specialized surface movement radar (SMR) systems for visual observations of the airfield are one of the mandatory systems ensuring the safety of flights and control service of aerodromes. Design of multi-position SMR systems comprising a set of simple and low-cost radar sensors (RS) is a promising trend. A problem to estimate a potential resolution in a multi-position SMR system is relevant.The paper describes two approaches to estimate the potential resolution using the "joint" ambiguity function, namely additive and multiplicative. Both approaches allow taking into account a type of the radar signal used, an antenna radiation pattern (ARP), and the location of radar sensors on the airfield.To implement the considered approaches to the resolution estimation, was used a software package to analyse the multi-position SMR system characteristics. For a particular example to locate radar sensors, the calculation results of the ambiguity function are given.The paper presents an estimated space resolution in the multi-position SMR system in Cartesian coordinate system. Draws conclusions about the possibility for obtaining the multi-position SMR system resolution that exceeds the resolution of a single radar sensor with the exception of the isotropic radiation pattern of radar sensor and the additive estimation method.The developed software package can be used to analyse and justify the following:- space resolution requirements to the radar sensor;- recommendations on the location of the radar sensors;- resolution of the multi-position SMR system space including a radar sensor with known characteristics.