TABLE OF CONTENTS In this final chapter we will discuss some aspects of the choice of some main systems' parameters and their relationships for multifunction operation. We consider the observation of the air space to detect, locate and track flying targets the classical task of a surveillance radar. The aim is to establish a track for each target as early as possible. We have discussed in several preceding chapters the arbitrary movement of the agile beam, which is generally a pencil beam. There is the desire to use this freedom in a most intelligent and effective way, which means to achieve reliable tracking of incoming targets with adequate location accuracy. The tracks should be established at a maximum range with a minimum of mean power. Thereafter, the tracks should be maintained with an adequate tracking rate and power.
We may imagine ourselves, for a moment, sitting somewhere scanning the sky for flying objects, like insects, birds or aircraft. We look around in an intuitive regular or random pattern. If something excites our attention we will immediately look more closely or concentrate more to recognise the type of the detected object and the direction of its movement. Then we proceed looking for other objects, but we will, at a suitable time interval, look back at our already recognised objects so as not to lose them and hold them under our observation or tracking.
A similar observation function will be performed by a multifunction phased-array radar for air...
