Radar visibility model
View Patent ↗A method for determining whether a target of interest located within radar resolution cells in a target area of interest is detectable with a radar system from a location and elevation of the radar system is described. The method includes the steps of (a) developing a topographic map of the terrain in the target area of interest; (b) mapping the radar resolution cells onto the topographic map; (c) modeling radar signal propagation to each of the radar resolution cells on the topographic map; and (d) determining, using the results of the modeling, if the radar system has sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) to detect the target of interest.
1. A method for determining whether a target of interest located within radar resolution cells in a target area of interest is detectable with a radar system from a location and elevation of said radar system, comprising:
(a) developing a topographic map of the terrain in said target area of interest;
(b) mapping said radar resolution cells onto said topographic map;
(c) modeling radar signal propagation to each of said radar resolution cells on said topographic map; and
(d) determining, using the results of said modeling, if said radar system has sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) to detect said target of interest.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said radar system is non-coherent.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said radar signal propagation includes effects of multi-path.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said radar signal propagation includes effects of environmental conditions.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said topographic map includes a man-made feature.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said man-made feature is a building.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said topographic map includes vegetation.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said vegetation includes a tree.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determination of the detectability of said target of interest is used in an algorithm to track said target of interest.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said radar system does not have sufficient SNR to detect said target of interest in one or more of said radar resolution cells and a track of said target of interest is maintained using said algorithm.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising optimizing said position and elevation of said radar system to maximize the coverage of said radar system.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising optimizing said position and elevation of said radar system to obtain a specific coverage area for said radar system.