Stagger period selection for moving-target radars

A moving-target-indication (m.t.i.) radar is used to reject signals from fixed, unwanted targets whilst retaining the Doppler shifted signals from moving targets. For a radar with a constant p.r.f., nulls in the m.t.i. response (`blind speeds¿) occur at multiples of the p.r.f. in addition to the desired null at zero frequency. The frequency at which the first blind speed occurs may be extended by the use of a nonuniform pulse-repetition interval, or staggered p.r.f. This paper presents the results of an investigation into methods of selecting these stagger periods to achieve acceptable passband performance.