Comparative Evaluation of Several Azinuth Estinating Procedures Using Digital Processing and Search Radar Simulation

In order to test and compare various azimuth estimating procedures, use was made of a search radar video simulator and a flexible high-speed digital video processor. The output of the video processor was recorded in digital form and analyzed on a general purpose digital computer. The azimuths of approximately 30,000 simulated targets at signal-to-noise ratios of 3, 6, 10, and 15 db were estimated by several methods. A reliable indication was obtained of the detection efficiency, false alarm rate, and the obtainable azimuth accuracy under a variety of conditions. The data which have been processed so far indicate superior performance of the maximum likelihood method for azimuth estimation purposes. The experimental results are presented in graphical form.