Theory of Radar Target Discrimination

Abstract

After a brief discussion of our radar target identification program, we give a direct application of probability theory to the problem of deciding which of a set of possible targets is present. The reliability of discrimination depends on the noise level, the back ground hash, the variation of echo with target aspect angles, the energy and shape of the transmitted pulse, and the number of pulses. The effect of each of these variables is calculated and discussed, leading to some new conclusions about optimal radar design and optimal data processing. We think that the tactics which might succeed are quite different from those that have been tried in the past, and give elementary intuitive explanations why this is so.