ATC primary radar signal analysis for target characterisation. A model validation

The work presents an analysis of the return signal from an ATC radar. The signal is backscattered from a moving target, considered as a rigid body and rotating and moving parts. Analysis results of the modulation components present in the signal and a theoretical model based upon simplifying hypotheses are reported. Little information can be found in the literature on this subject, and the theory which describes the modulation induced on the backscattered signal is not well known. The paper describes the application of simulation software and the comparison of its results with actual data recorded from operating ATC radars. Specific results obtained in an application on actual signals (relative to civil aircraft echoes) collected from observations of the echo received at an ATC radar system are presented. These signals were recorded from many field experiments.