Computer modelling of ground clutter in airborne radar

The modelling of ground clutter in airborne radar systems is an essential component of assessing system performance but is computationally intensive because of the requirement to consider ground returns over the full extent, or at least a substantial portion, of the Earth´s surface which is visible to the radar platform. This paper describes a computer software model which has been developed to provide a quick and efficient method of evaluating airborne radar performance in the presence of ground clutter as a function of various radar system parameters, operational parameters, antenna characteristics and clutter models. The model encompasses monostatic, semi-active and bistatic radar geometries and coherent pulse-Doppler, continuous wave (CW) and frequency modulated continuous wave (FM-CW) radar operating modes. The computer software Caspar (Clutter Assessment upon the System Performance of Airborne Radars), which has been developed, provides modelling at a system level rather than at a detailed component level and is intended primarily as a system tool for use with a wide variety of radar platforms. Caspar is described in a modelling and software context outlining the additional features which are being considered for future development