ECM counteracting SLB: Analysis and effectiveness evaluation

Sidelobe blanking (SLB) devices are used within radar systems to reduce the number of false alarms due to impulsive interference incoming through the sidelobes. The aim of this paper is to study the effects of different jamming techniques on a phased array radar equipped with a SLB device. The entire system is modeled accounting for the mutual coupling among the antenna array elements, and two different configurations for the position of the SLB element are considered. The cases of co-polarized and cross-polarized jamming signals are investigated. The analysis is focused on both the jammer capability to produce false targets and on its ability to mask the useful echo.