Modeling radar performance for a site-specific digital twin
Arajärvi, Robert (2023)
2023
Sähkötekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Electrical Engineering
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2023-05-09
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202304123663
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202304123663
Tiivistelmä
The impact of terrain on the performance of medium and long range surveillance systems must be recognized in order to identify and improve their functionality where necessary. Measuring the exact overall performance of these systems is particularly challenging because there are many factors to consider. Terrain is one of the most significant limiting factors in the ability of ground-based radars to detect targets at long distances.
This study examines the effect diffraction caused by natural obstructions, such as surface shapes and vegetation, has on the site-specific radar systems. The phenomenon may significantly weaken the radio waves, especially when the target is hidden below the visual horizon or in the shadow area. To model the terrain, a terrain model has been created that combines three different sets of terrain information in the direction of the transmitted radar signal.
The diffraction attenuation affecting the digital twin of a radar system was calculated and visualized using a constructed terrain model and two different diffraction models. The use of other diffraction models was also evaluated based on individual circumstances. The resolution of the terrain data used limited the more detailed modeling of the terrain and the use of other diffraction models. However, the methods developed in the study provide a consistent way to determine the magnitude of attenuation and the dominant terrain types of different terrain locations for different propagation paths.
This study examines the effect diffraction caused by natural obstructions, such as surface shapes and vegetation, has on the site-specific radar systems. The phenomenon may significantly weaken the radio waves, especially when the target is hidden below the visual horizon or in the shadow area. To model the terrain, a terrain model has been created that combines three different sets of terrain information in the direction of the transmitted radar signal.
The diffraction attenuation affecting the digital twin of a radar system was calculated and visualized using a constructed terrain model and two different diffraction models. The use of other diffraction models was also evaluated based on individual circumstances. The resolution of the terrain data used limited the more detailed modeling of the terrain and the use of other diffraction models. However, the methods developed in the study provide a consistent way to determine the magnitude of attenuation and the dominant terrain types of different terrain locations for different propagation paths.