Estimation of radial velocity in search radars with batch coherent processing

Search radar with batch-to-batch processing allows the measurement of radial velocity by means of Doppler extraction and ambiguity resolution, yielding values that are useful in plot generation and track-while-scan operations. Ambiguous Doppler frequency estimation is based on target detection by means of two Doppler filters, making possible the evaluation of an ambiguous Doppler frequency by the amplitude ratio of the filters. Ambiguity resolution is obtained by comparing two or more coherent processing batches in which the pulse repetition frequencies are different. An evaluation is undertaken of the accuracy of ambiguous Doppler measurements in the presence of thermal noise by means of both the present analysis and computer simulation. Accuracies better than 1 percent of the first blind speed have been obtained.