International Journal of Electronics,

Communication & Instrumentation Engineering

Research and Development (IJECIERD)
ISSN (P): 2249-684X; ISSN (E): 2249-7951
Vol. 6, Issue 4, Aug 2016, 15-22
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

RADAR DETECTION RANGE ENHANCEMENT AT LOW FLYING TARGETS

MOHAMMED. J. AL- SUMAIDAEE
Computer Techniques Engineering Department, Al-Yarmouk University College, Baquba- Diyala, Iraq
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to exhibits the inflounce of the earth at low angles of the elevation imparts multiple
lobes to pattern of radar antenna.
The bottom lobe is raised from the earth by an angle, the size of which is related to the antenna elevation and
wavelength. The multiple beam propagation of radio wave near the earth makes a single low flying target appear as a
group. Also the targets presence in the detecting zone for radar system would be for low period of time, this which leads that
the information about target will be very low.
The increasing of elevation the antenna above the ground surface is the best activity way to approximate the
radiation pattern as much as possible, in other ward inclining the top of bottom lope.
KEYWORDS: Antenna, Elevation and Wavelength, Radiation Pattern

INTRODUCTION
It can be regarded that the range of detecting low level target by radar system as a practical parameter and
depends on the electrical specification of the radar system, operated wavelength and propagation of radio wave.

Original Article

Received: Jul 12, 2016; Accepted: Aug 05, 2016; Published: Aug 11, 2016; Paper Id.: IJECIERDAUG20163

The main reasons of difficulties for reconnaissance the low objects is the limiting detecting range.
In the ordinary weather situation taking in account the refraction radio wave.
The detecting range has been extremely affected by the dead angles and reflected interference from local
objects.

EFFECT OF TERRAIN ON TARGET ECHO

A variety of phenomena are generated by the interference of direct and reflected waves.

Figure 1: Interference Geometry

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Mohammed. J. Al- Sumaidaee

If both the direct and indirect paths are illuminated equally by transmitting antenna (1).
By refering to figure 1 and using the flat earth approximation R can be expressed
R = 2 h sin

(1)

Where h is target height and is measured between pointing direction of antenna and reflecting surface figure 2.

Figure 2: Reflecting Field between Direct and Indirect Waves

The ratio E/Ed represented the modification of electric field strength at the target caused by the reflecting surface,
the ratio is called the propagation factor F.
Since the return paths (target back to antenna are the same as incident path), echo power p from a point target at
point p is proportional to |F|4, thus, the radar equation can be written as:

pt 2 2 1
4
r =
|
F
|
(4 ) 3 R 4

(2)

Where 1 is emphasized as being the free space cross section, the product 1|F|4 may be thought of as an effective
cross sections :
Pt: Is the radar transmitting power.
G: The radar antenna gain.
Rt: Is the target range.

LOW FLYING TARGET DETECTION RANGE

The influence of the earth at low angle of elevation imparts multiple lobes to pattern of a radar antenna.
The bottom lobe is raised from the earth by an angle .

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.6539

NAAS Rating: 2.23

Radar Detection Range Enhancement at Low Flying Targets

17

Figure 3: Affecting Earth Surface on the Range of Detecting Target

Figure 4: Detecting Low Level Target by Bottom Lobe of Radiation Pattern

The size of which is related to antenna elevation Ha and wavelength by following expression:

Ha

(3)

The strength of the signal received by the radar system in accordance of earths influences is written in form:

pt 2 2 1 ( )
r =
F
(4 ) 3 R 4

(4)

Where F (): Is the pattern propagation factor which for small angle is

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Mohammed. J. Al- Sumaidaee

F (): 4 Ht Ha|R

(5)

Where Ht is the altitude of the target relative to the earth surface (2). Figure 3

RECONNAISSANCE THE LOW OBJECTS

The main difficulties for reconnaissance the low objects is the limiting detecting range in he ordinary weather
environment taking in account the refractions of radio waves.
The measuring of radio horizon by using a simple equation Dr.h

Dr .h = 4.12 ( ha +

ht )

(6)

Where ha: the height electrical average of the antenna above the ground (meter).
Ht: the height of target
The radio horizon range is the maximum value of detecting range of the radar system.
The zone of semi shadow sticks by line of radio horizon which consist all the points belong the range of radio
horizon Figure. 4.
The shape of radiation pattern of the antenna will depends upon the affecting factor of ground, height of antenna
of radar system wave length and grazing angle:

2ha

sin g

fs = 2 sin

(7)

Where fs: line of sight of target.

g: grazing angle.
The actual value of ground affecting factor will changes in the limit (0-2) relatively according to change of
grazing angle of target.
The computation of the direction of top radiation pattern of antenna will be as follow:

sin = n

(8)

4ha

If n is odd, the value of detection range can be multiple with camparison of detection range in free space, but if n
is even, the value of detection range decrease to zero.
If suppose n = 1, should be limit the direction of bottom lobe of radiation pattern according to

o 60

4ha

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.6539

= 15

ha

(9)

NAAS Rating: 2.23

Radar Detection Range Enhancement at Low Flying Targets

19

Where
: is the direction of bottom lobe of radiation pattern of antenna.
Ha: is the height of antenna
: is the wave length.
But the nearest ground surface is limited by bottom part of lobe and will approximate the detecting range by radar
system as follows:

Rr .s
Where:

4hap.v

R. max f .s

(10)

p.v is point of view according to which can approximate the detection range of radar system

p.v
suppose that

Ht
Rr .s

(11)

So can be allocate the detection range for radar system as;

R = Rmax f .s .

4 .ha.Ht

(12)

Where Rmaxfs: Maximum range in free space (K. meter).

Ha: height of antenna of radar system (meter)
Ht: height of target (meter.)
: Wave length (meter).

SITE SELECTION
For site selection has an important situation to detect the low level targets and decreasing the affecting terrain and
insure all the investigation concering the technical specification for radar system.
The selection of radar site should responds all the requirements necessary to investigate the goal of implement the
radar site.
The terrain shears the forming radiation pattern, this area called FRESNEL zone figure 5 and can be regarded in
the case of antenna rotafing 3600 as follows:

Rmin = 0.72

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ha2

(13)

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Mohammed. J. Al- Sumaidaee

Rmax = 23.2

ha2

(14)

Where: Ha: Is height of antenna (meter)

: Wave length (meter)

Figure 5: Fresnel Zone in Case of Rotating Detection

Ha: height antenna ht: height target.
In stall the antenna of radar system on tower or natural height gives an activity to approximate the radiation
pattern to ground that mean the inclination the first lobe

o = 15

4h

To over came the skirting of radiate pattern, the real distance must not exceed than:

Rmin = 0.72

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.6539

ha2

NAAS Rating: 2.23

Radar Detection Range Enhancement at Low Flying Targets

21

Figure 6: Relation between Fresnel Zone and Antenna Height

To avoid any distortion or skirting for radiation pattern of antenna the height of tower should not exceed than
(30- 50) meter.

CONCLUSIONS
The main goal of this paper is to increase the ability of detecting low flying targets using radar system by
implementation. Some technical aspects.
The essential points of this conclusion is the right selection site according to technical requirements of radar
system and installing on tower or natural height, by benefit from the mountine site.
The best systems for tracking and detecting low flying targets should be chosen.
Increasing the intensity of radiation beam this done by changing the distribution of radiation power between air
layers by selecting the best sets for feeding when the line of sight is limited.
Finally the modification and improvement for some sets of radar system is sufficient to enhance the ability of
detecting low flying targets.
REFERENCES
1.

Handbook of radar measurement, David K. Barton, 1969.

2.

Radar reflectivity of land and sea Maurice W. Long, 1975.

3.

Radar anti lamming technique M.V. Maksion, 1979.

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