Signal Processing Algorithm to Reduce RWR Electro-Magnetic Interference with Tail Rotor Blade of Helicopter

Abstract

In the environment where various and complicated threat signals exist, RWR (Radar Warning Receiver), which can warn pilot of the existence of threats, has long been a necessary electronic warfare (EW) system to improve survivability of aircraft. The angle of arrival (AOA) information, the most reliable sorting parameter in the RWR, is measured by means of four-quadrant amplitude comparison direction finding (DF) technique. Each of four antennas (usually spiral antenna) of DF unit covers one of four quadrant zones, with 90 degrees apart with nearby antenna. According to the location of antenna installed in helicopter, RWR is subject to signal loss and interference by helicopter body and structures including tail bumper, rotor blade, and so on, causing a difficulty of detecting hostile emitters. In this paper, the performance degradation caused by signal interference by tail rotor blades has been estimated by measuring amplitude video signals into which RWR converts RF signals in case a part of antenna is screened by real tail rotor blade in anechoic chamber. The results show that corruption of pulse amplitude (PA) is main cause of DF error. We have proposed two algorithms for resolving the interference by tail rotor blades as below: First, expand the AOA group range for pulse grouping at the first signal analysis phase. Second, merge each of pulse trains with the other, that signal parameter except PRI and AOA is similar, after the first signal analysis phase. The presented method makes it possible to use RWR by reducing interference caused by blade screening in case antenna is screened by tail rotor blades.