B.A. Levitan1, S.A. Topchiev2, V.E. Farber3, M.V. Eisymont4

1-4 PJSC “Radiofizika” (Moscow, Russia)

1,3 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University) (Dolgoprudny, Russia)

1 Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) (Moscow, Russia)

2 topus@mail.ru; 3 vladeffar@mail.ru; 4 asymont@mail.ru 

The research considers issues regarding feasibility of measurement of a dynamic direction diagram (DD) of antenna systems built on the basis of phased antenna arrays (ESA) and active phased antenna arrays (AESA) in the process of radar objects automatic tracking during actual operation.

Currently known methods of DD measurement require involvement of additional aids. In particular, a dynamic DD is usually measured using a specially built monitoring and adjustment tower that houses angle reflectors and additional antennae to which a simulation signal is sent via special wave-guide paths. Measurements of a static DD in test fields are usually conducted by the fly-around method using piloted aerial vehicles, where the aerial vehicle makes a circular fly-around of ESA with the same altitude at each passage. These two methods of DD measurement can be combined using method of a virtual tower, in which a multi-rotor UAV in hovering mode is applied instead of a high-rise structure of the monitoring and adjustment tower.

Although the method of dynamic DD measurement in process of radar object automatic tracking is less accurate in comparison to application of the monitoring and adjustment tower, on the other hand it does not require involvement of additional equipment and enables conduction of operative check of radar antenna systems technical status in the course of their operation. At that, the most accurate results can be obtained in case of spherical radar objects with constant effective RCS.

The present research obtained relations to form an array of values determining DD of both receiving and transmitting antennae. Approaches to dynamic DD measurement elaborated in the present research have been tested under actual conditions in the process of radar object automatic tracking by a radar with large aperture digital AESA and showed their serviceability.

Levitan B.A., Topchiev S.A., Farber V.E., Eisymont M.V. Measurement of dynamic direction diagrams of phased antenna arrays in process of radar objects tracking. Radiotekhnika. 2024. V. 88. № 4. P. 24−33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202404-02
(In Russian)

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