The bistatic range equation is similar in form to the monostatic range equation and is derived in a similar process. The principal and obvious difference in the equations is that R TR R replaces R 2 M, where R T is the bistatic transmitter-to-target range, R R is the bistatic receiver-to-target range, and R M is the monostatic transmitter- and receiver-to-target range. This simple difference causes significant differences in monostatic and bistatic radar operation. One major difference is that bistatic thermal noise-limited detection contours are defined by ovals of Cassini, rather than by circles for the simplest monostatic case. These ovals are particularly useful in defining regions where the bistatic radar can operate.
A second difference is that bistatic constant range sum contours, defined by R T + R R as ellipses, are not colinear with bistatic constant detection contours, defined by ovals of Cassini, whereas for the monostatic case they are both colinear circles. This difference sets operating limits for the bistatic radar, and also causes the target's S/N to vary as a function of its position on a constant range sum contour unlike the monostatic case.
A third difference is that the width of a bistatic range cell changes as a function of the target's position on a constant range sum contour, or ellipse, whereas it is a constant value for the monostatic case. A fourth difference is that the bistatic transmitting and receiving pattern propagation factors, F T and
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