PANCHROMATIC AND POLYPANCHROMATIC RADAR

Application of broad-band (panchromatic) illumination in radar systems should permit improvement in image quality and reduction of tracking and detection problems due to fading. The effect of frequency averaging on radar return from a simple target array is demonstrated by numerical computation and on image quality by ultrasonic simulation. The required bandwidth for a slightly rough random surface. is determined analytically. Extension of the panchromatic concept to multiple-frequency radars used for target identification is suggested as being superior to use of multiple single frequencies because the frequency-averaged signals are more representative than single-frequency signals of return in a particular band. The term “polypanchromatie is suggested is distinguish this system from a “polychromatic” system using single carriers in each band. Copyright © 1969 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.