Array Manifold Calibration in Shipborne Radar

Array manifold error is the key factor which influences the performance of DOA algorithm. In ship borne radar, after distance and velocity resolution, the corresponding spatial azimuth of first-order sea echo can be computed. The first-order sea echo on the fixed frequency can be considered as scale source. After array covariance matrix's eigen value decomposition, the vector corresponding to the biggest eigen value can be considered as the actual manifold vector so as to apply DOA algorithm effectively. In ship born radar, through source calibration, the performance of DOA algorithm is enhanced and the inadequacy of compensation from different influencing factors such as the discrepancy of amplitude and phase, and the coupling between array elements are also avoided.