The Redical - An on-line/real-time monitoring system for radar

In surveying the tests that have been carried out so far, it is thought that Redical (retrodirective calibration) units placed at ranges of up to about 50 miles (depending on local topography) can furnish a simple yet effective means for on-line performance-monitoring of both minimally-manned and unattended radars. The sensitivity, range-azimuth-, and elevation-accuracy can be monitored quickly and, as seen from limited tests, conveniently. It is pointed out, however, that installation of a Redical unit must allow for the excess propagation loss; this is necessary to make possible an accurate projection of radar sensitivity and to minimize the ground reflection perturbations of elevation estimates.