Range Tracking and Acquisition

BT20ECE038 Poojan Gandhi

BT20ECE039 Gannena Madhu Sri
BT20ECE041 Janhavi Ghuge
BT20ECE042 Gogam Vijaya Krishna
 Introduction
Range and acquisition tracking are important concepts in radar and target tracking systems. These terms are often used in the
context of radar technology, but they can also apply to other tracking systems like sonar or even visual tracking systems.

Range Tracking:
● Range tracking, in the context of radar, refers to the ability to determine the distance between the tracking system and
a target. It provides information about the target's location in relation to the tracking system.
● In radar, range tracking is typically achieved by measuring the time it takes for a radar pulse to travel to the target and
back (time-of-flight) or by using the frequency of the reflected signal (Doppler shift) to calculate the range.
Acquisition:
● Acquisition, in the context of tracking, refers to the initial detection and identification of a target. Before a tracking
system can continuously monitor a target, it must first acquire and establish contact with the target.
● Radar systems use various techniques to acquire a target. These may include sweeping the area with radar pulses and
looking for echoes. Once a potential target is detected, the tracking system can then focus on tracking its range,
bearing, and other parameters.

Overall, range and acquisition tracking are fundamental components of tracking systems, whether they are radar, sonar, or other
types of sensors. These systems play a vital role in various domains, such as military, aviation, maritime, and space exploration, where
accurately tracking and acquiring targets is essential for safety and situational awareness.
 Target Tracking
Targets are divided into two types: Types of Tracking Radar

1. Single Targets 1. Single Target Tracker Radar (STT) designed to

a. Angle Tracking continuously track a single target at a high data
i. Sequential Lobing rate. Ex: Weapon control radar
ii. Conical Scan
iii. Amplitude Compression 2. Automatic Detection and Track Radar (ADT) has
Monopulse lower data rate. Ex: Air Surveillance Radar
iv. Phase Compression Monopulse [Military and Civilian]
b. Range Tracking
2. Multiple Targets
a. TWS Radar
b. Phased Array Radar Tracking
 Angle Tracking
Sequential Lobing

● Sequential lobing is often referred to as lobe

switching or sequential switching
● Accuracy depends on the pencil beam width
● It is very simple to implement SCR - 268
● Concept of Operation: Measuring the difference
between the echo signals voltage level
 Angle Tracking
Conical Scan Radars

● Target Angle: Angle between the axis of rotation and the direction to the target.
● Squint Angle: Angle between the antenna-beam axis and the axis of rotation.
● Beamwidth: Angular separation between two half power points of the beam
● The amplitude of the echo signal will be modulated at a frequency equal to beam rotation frequency called the Conical Scan
frequency
● The Target Angle determines the amplitude of the modulated signal that is received
● The Angle Error is obtained from the phase of modulation. It is used to adjust the azimuthal and elevation servos accordingly
Block Diagram of Conical-Scan Tracking RADAR
 Monopulse Tracking Radar
● Radar in which information concerning the angular location of the target is obtained by comparing the signal received in two
or more simultaneous beams.
● Two offset antenna beams are combined to obtain both sum and difference signal.
● This signals are multiplied in a phase sensitive detector to obtain both magnitude and direction
● Two kinds of Monopulse Radar
○ Amplitude Comparison Monopulse RADAR
○ Phase Comparison Monopulse RADAR
 Amplitude Comparison Monopulse RADAR
● Two adjacent antenna feeds are connected to the 2 input arms of a hybrid junction
● Sum and difference signal obtained
● Difference channel produce error voltage proportional to Target Angle (angular deviation of the target)
● By comparing the phase of the sum and difference signal, angle error is found
● Depending on these information’s the servo meter will drive the antenna back to the target
● Phase sensitive detector is used to compare the phase of two signals
Amplitude Comparison Monopulse RADAR
 Phase Comparison Monopulse RADAR
● Angle of Arrival of target calculated by comparing
Phases
● Uses two beams from two antennas looking at the
same location
○ Echo on boresight will arrive at both antennas
at same time, thus no phase difference
○ Echo from an angle from boresight arrive at
different times at both antennas, causing
phase difference
Phase Comparison Monopulse RADAR
Comparison between ACM and PCM

AN/FPQ-6 C-band
 Tracking Radar Functions and Parameter Estimation
● A tracking radar has a pencil beam to receive echoes from target.
● A tracking-radar system:
○ measures the coordinates (r, theta, phi) of a target
○ provides data(fd, vr ) which used to determine the target path
○ predict its future position.
○ used to measure the trajectory of the moving target [Ex: missile] and to predict future position.

● Types:
○ STT Radar (Single Target Tracker)
○ MTT Radar (Multi-Target Tracker)
■ ADT (Automatic Detection and Track) Radar
■ Phased Array Radar Tracking
■ TWS (Track While Scan) Radar
 Range Tracking
● Split Gate Tracker Method:
○ Two Range Gates, namely Early Gate and Late Gate used at
receiver.
○ Signals received both gates are integrated and subtracted
○ Sign of the difference shows if target has moved closer or further
● Velocity Tracking
○ Done by tracking Doppler Frequency Shift to obtain relative
velocity of the target.
○ Used in Missile Trackers and Airborne Pulse Doppler Radar (Used in
missiles to track targets in air)
○ Doppler tracking filter also reduces clutter and isolates target
better
○ Tracking Accuracy can be degraded if received signal is modulated
by moving parts in target (Engine, Jet Compressor etc)
 Acquisition and Scanning Patterns

Acquisition refers to the process of tracking a detected target immediately after its initial acquisition. This term is commonly used
in the context of radar systems, particularly in military and air defense applications

The radar system starts by scanning its environment and emitting radar signals. When a target, such as an aircraft or a missile,
enters the radar's field of view, it is detected by the radar system. The initial detection is the first step in the acquisition process.

After initial detection, the radar system proceeds to acquire the target. Acquisition involves confirming and identifying the
detected object as a legitimate target. It is essential to distinguish real targets from false alarms or clutter in the radar's
environment.

Once the target is acquired, the radar system immediately starts tracking it. Tracking in acquisition means continuously monitoring
the target's parameters, such as its position, speed, altitude, and heading, often with a primary focus on its range and azimuth.
Acquisition and Scanning Patterns

Helical Scan Palmer Scan Spiral Scan

Nodding Scan Raster or TV Scan

THANK YOU