A Sequential Logic for Improving Signal Detectability in Frequency-Agile Search Radars

Certain fading models have in the past become standard for taking into account the effects of fluctuations in target echoing area in the theoretical prediction of radar range performance. In the application of these models, fading has always been treated as an entirely random phenomenon. In this paper it is noted that this is not necessarily true for radars which have the transmission frequency as a controlled variable, since in that case the fading characteristics of the target may be modified by properly controlling the transmission frequency. A strategy for taking advantage of this possibility is developed and theoretical results obtained by Monte Carlo simulation for a specific logic indicate that gains in detectability of several decibels (relative to what is usually considered optimum) may be obtained when certain realistic assumptions are made for the target fading characteristics.