Open AccessSpaced-Antenna Interferometry to Detect and Locate Subvolume Inhomogeneities of Reflectivity: An Analogy with Monopulse Radar
Author(s) -
Guifu Zhang,
Richard J. Doviak
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of atmospheric and oceanic technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.774
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1520-0426
pISSN - 0739-0572
DOI - 10.1175/2008jtecha1055.1
Subject(s) - monopulse radar , phased array , radar , interferometry , antenna (radio) , physics , remote sensing , optics , radar imaging , computer science , correlation function (quantum field theory) , bistatic radar , antenna array , geology , radar engineering details , spectral density , telecommunications
The theory of spaced-antenna interferometry (SAI) is formulated to detect and locate deterministic objects and reflectivity inhomogeneities embedded within the phased-array weather radar’s resolution volume V6 and to improve weather radar performance. An analogy is made between monopulse tracking and SAI. The cross-correlation function and its power spectrum are derived based on wave scattering by a large deterministic object and clusters of randomly distributed precipitation particles. It is shown that nonuniform beam filling leads to an effective narrower beam and an increase in cross-correlation coefficient at zero lag. Hence, an individual object or a subvolume inhomogeneity can be detected and located by SAI. This capability further enhances the potential applications of phased-array weather radar used as a multimission system.