A coherent model of radar weather clutter

Considers a coherent model of radar weather clutter which is based on the analysis of digitally recorded radar data. Representative models of radar clutter are a necessary prerequisite for the design of radar signal processors, since a major task of such processors is to suppress clutter returns. In the design of a coherent signal processor, the Doppler spectrum of the clutter returns is of prime importance. However, it is also recognised that in order to fix thresholds to govern the false alarm rate, the degree of spatial variability or 'spikiness' in the clutter must be taken into account. This is almost always achieved by invoking a separate, entirely empirical model of the spatial fluctuations. It is shown how a single coherent model of weather clutter can be constructed, which combines both the Doppler spectra and the spatial variability of the clutter.<>