On optimal radar reflectivity processing

Marshall and Hitschfeld (1953) have conducted a study concerning the reduction in variance of the fluctuating radar signal when various returns are combined. Rogers (1971) showed that the theory used in this study could be extended to include space dependent reflectivity fields. Walker et al. (1980) have extended the computation of the mean signal intensity. In the present investigation the results of the earlier studies are combined to design an optimized postdetection integration procedure with the objective to reduce the biases and to maximize the space resolution within the limits imposed by an effective reduction in signal fluctuation. The approach leads to the optimization of the intensity of the reflectivity factor.