Auxiliary antenna approach to sidelobe discrimination for maximum dynamic range

Michael Plonski

doi:10.1117/12.138303

16 September 1992 Auxiliary antenna approach to sidelobe discrimination for maximum dynamic range

Michael Plonski

Proceedings Volume 1700, Automatic Object Recognition II; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138303
Event: Aerospace Sensing, 1992, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The auxiliary antenna approach to sidelobe/mainbeam discrimination is a classic technique based on comparing the signal strength from a small co-boresighted auxiliary antenna with the signal from the main antenna. A piecewise linear boundary is usually drawn in the main channel/auxiliary channel signal space to perform the discrimination. The Automated Remote Tracking Station (ARTS) program has a requirement to automatically acquire and track a satellite when the initial ephemeris information is only approximately known. This requirement is satisfied by using an auxiliary antenna approach to detect the mainbeam intercept, while the antenna is scanning. Once the mainbeam is detected, standard monopulse tracking is engaged to complete the acquisition and lock onto the satellite. The ARTS system requirements for mainbeam/sidelobe lock can be treated as probabilities of detection and false alarm. This system requirement can be visualized as constraint surfaces in the main channel, auxiliary channel, and aperture power signal space. The classic approach to designing a decision boundary in the presence of an unwanted or unknown parameter (aperture power) is to project the constraint space so that it is independent of that parameter. The decision boundary can then be drawn in the projected space. When this approach was applied to the ARTS requirement, it yielded several decibel (dB) of increased dynamic range, at low signal strengths, over conventional sidelobe discrimination boundary designs.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Plonski "Auxiliary antenna approach to sidelobe discrimination for maximum dynamic range", Proc. SPIE 1700, Automatic Object Recognition II, (16 September 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138303

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