Optimally polarized monopulse signals for target parameter estimation in clutter

The probability density function of the target boresight angle estimate of an amplitude comparison monopulse radar system is presented when the target in flight is obscured by dipole chaff, precipitation, or sea clutter.; A maximum likelihood analysis is made to determine the form of the angle estimate in clutter plus receiver noise. The biasedness of the estimate, and the variance of that estimate is shown as a function of signal-to-clutter-plus-noise, SCNR.; In order to improve the SCNR, the optimum transmit and receive polarization vectors for a given target and clutter scattering matrices are introduced. The optimum polarization vectors yield the maximum signal-to-clutter power ratio for a given scenario. The target model is a right circular cylinder with a hemispheric nose cone and the control surfaces attached. Included are the performance analysis of suboptimal polarization vector pair operations when the complex antenna cluster construction for the polarization diversity or agility is undersirable due to cost or the space restriction.