Many factors influence the choice of exact values of pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs), the total number of PRFs used within a medium PRF schedule, N, and the minimum number of PRFs in which target data are required, M. Some factors are more important than others, and in some cases PRFs have been selected on the basis of one or two of the most important factors with little or no regard to factors of lower priority. It is fair to say that the design of the PRF schedule (selection of precise values of PRFs and the numbers N and M) is fundamental to many aspects of the performance of the radar. It is worth noting that the performance of a radar is dictated by the combination of the PRFs used; no individual PRF can be regarded as good or bad in its own right. The quality of any medium PRF schedule is an attribute of how all the PRFs work together. Some key factors influencing schedule design are discussed in the following sections of this chapter. These factors tend to place constraints and limitations that guide the selection of PRF values; they do not dictate precise values to be selected. Indeed, the selection of precise values of PRF is an area shrouded in mystery and is commonly perceived as something of a black art. Recent work, however, has brought solid engineering principles to bear on this problem.

Chapter Contents:

• 12.1 Decodability
• 12.2 Blindness
• 12.3 PRF Limits
• 12.4 Ghosting
• 12.5 Additional Techniques to Combat Ghosting

Inspec keywords: Doppler radar

Other keywords: pulse repetition frequency; Doppler radar performance; PRF scheduling

Subjects: Radar equipment, systems and applications