Bistatic High Frequency Radar Ocean Surface Cross Section for an FMCW Source with an Antenna on a Floating Platform

Abstract EN

The first- and second-order bistatic high frequency radar cross sections of the ocean surface with an antenna on a floating platform are derived for a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) source.

Based on previous work, the derivation begins with the general bistatic electric field in the frequency domain for the case of a floating antenna.

Demodulation and range transformation are used to obtain the range information, distinguishing the process from that used for a pulsed radar.

After Fourier-transforming the autocorrelation and comparing the result with the radar range equation, the radar cross sections are derived.

The new first- and second-order antenna-motion-incorporated bistatic radar cross section models for an FMCW source are simulated and compared with those for a pulsed source.

Results show that, for the same radar operating parameters, the first-order radar cross section for the FMCW waveform is a little lower than that for a pulsed source.

The second-order radar cross section for the FMCW waveform reduces to that for the pulsed waveform when the scattering patch limit approaches infinity.

The effect of platform motion on the radar cross sections for an FMCW waveform is investigated for a variety of sea states and operating frequencies and, in general, is found to be similar to that for a pulsed waveform.