Precomparator and postcomparator errors in monopulse.

Abstract

Monopulse radar is a well-established technique for extracting accurate target location information in the presence of target scintillation. It relies on the comparison of at least two patterns being received simultaneously by the antenna. These two patterns are designed to differ in the direction in which we wish to obtain the target angle information. The two patterns are compared to each other through a standard method, typically by forming the ratio of the difference of the patterns to the sum of the patterns. The key to accurate angle information using monopulse is that the mapping function from the target angle to this ratio is well-behaved and well-known. Errors in the amplitude and phase of the signals prior and subsequent to the comparison operation affect the mapping function. The purpose of this report is to provide some intuition into these error effects upon the mapping function.