Analogue-to-digital convertor effects on airborne radar performance

Detection of low cross-section targets in strong and varying clutter requires linear radar signal processing with a wide dynamic range. Analogue-to-digital (A/D) convertor characteristics are critical to achieving this dynamic range. A/D convertors generate internal noise and spurious harmonics due to nonlinearities, in addition to the theoretical quantisation noise. To evaluate A/D convertor effects on airborne radar performance, a model has been developed, based on the measured harmonic levels of a 14-bit A/D convertor, and is included in an airborne radar simulation. The authors describe the details of the model and the radar simulation, and compare the performance of the high pulse repetition frequency (PRF) radar system using an ideal A/D convertor with that of the A/D convertor model