Statistical technique for radar amplitude calibration

A statistical technique for amplitude calibration of radar systems is presented. As distinct from the input-output cross-correlation measurement of a linear system impulse response, this technique measures the amplitude transfer function of a memoryless, nonlinear system. A generalized theory is developed and calibration accuracy bounds are derived. Used in the calibration of a modern pulsed radar, the technique is compared with conventional reference pulse calibration. The relative merits of the deterministic and statistical approaches are compared.