Radar Video - a New Dimension in Data Analysis

Many present day radar systems are severely restricted in their applications by two gross limitations. There are no provisions whereby the entire returning radar pulse or echo can be recontructed. Measurement of just the peak amplitude of the returning radar energy is entirely unsatisfactory when radars are applied to measurements of the re-entry phenomenon, missile systems experiments which employ many objects, and other experiments. Similarly, in radars which separate objects by their differences in velocity, the measurement of the peak of returning pulse is entirely inadequate. The second major limitation is that as missile systems become more sophisticated it is necessary for radars to have the ability to track more than one object. Video recording and playback system, when applied to a radar system, will provide means of solving these limitations. Using digital sampling techniques, the entire ungated recorded return is sampled and thus the entire range interval or radar echo can be reconstructed. This data will provide useful output so that a complete pulse analysis can be provided; likewise, radar signature and off-axis information can be secured for all targets. The operation and principle of this video recording and playback system will be discussed. The other analysis advantages which are secured with a radar video recording scheme will also be cited. A video record and playback system provides an inexpensive means of updating any radar system.