Classification and possibly identification of observed radar targets is a natural requirement for radar systems applied for air or maritime traffic control and defence. In all cases without target information, e.g. provided by the secondary surveillance radar or with identification friend or foe (IFF), the radar echo signal has to be evaluated. For air surveillance it is of great importance to distinguish as fast as possible between targets of interest, such as aeroplanes, and false targets like birds or flocks of bird. Due to this distinction the formation and processing of false tracks, time and power of computer and radar are saved.

Chapter Contents:

• 16.1 Fluctuation effects
• 16.2 Doppler spectrum evaluation
• References

Inspec keywords: search radar; air traffic; target tracking; signal classification; radar clutter; radar signal processing

Other keywords: air traffic control; target classification; air surveillance; IFF; surveillance radar trarget; identification friend or foe; radar echo signal; maritime traffic control

Subjects: Signal processing and detection; Electromagnetic compatibility and interference; Radar equipment, systems and applications