Airport surface radar signal analysis for target characterization. A model validation

The paper presents an analysis of the return signal from an airport surface radar. The signal is back scattered from a moving target, considered as a rigid body. Analysis results and a theoretical model based upon simplifying hypothesis are reported here. Not very much information can be found in the current literature on this subject and the theory which describes the back scattered signal is complicated when applied to real cases. The paper describes the application of a simulation software and the comparison of its results with actual data recorded from an operating airport surface movement indicator (ASMI) radar. Specific results obtained in an application on actual signals (results to civil aircrafts echoes) collected from an ASMI radar system are presented. These signals were recorded during many field experiments carried out by the authors.