Ground clutter model for airborne MPRF radars in look-down search mode

Abstract

The performances of a medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF) radar operating in air-to-air look-down mode are strongly influenced by the presence of ground clutter. The clutter echo received both on the antenna main beam and side lobes can increase the number of false alarms. To correctly account for the effects of ground clutter, one has to develop a model capable of reproducing clutter characteristics as a function of range and frequency. The authors propose a model to estimate range/Doppler distribution of ground clutter mean power. The proposed discrete model permits an easy development of simulation packages which quantify the effects of ground clutter in MPRF systems and which allow the evaluation of MPRF radars performances in most typical operating conditions. Three-dimensional plots of the range/Doppler distribution of mean ground clutter power, obtained by a FORTRAN code that implements the model, are presented. Moreover, the dependence of ground clutter power on important mission and radar parameters is discussed.