Phased-Array Radar Simulation for Space Surveillance

Paper number

IAC-09.A6.P.3

Author

Mr. Johannes Gelhaus, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Heiner Klinkrad, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Michael Oswald, EADS Astrium, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Sebastian Stabroth, EADS Astrium Satellites, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Peter Voersmann, Institute of Aerospace Systems, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Carsten Wiedemann, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Sven Kevin Flegel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany

Year

2009

Abstract

Since Europe is starting the development of a Space Surveillance System different architectures are under discussion. The simulation of optical and radar sensor systems can support the final decision of an architecture. The ESA Software tool PROOF (Program for Radar and Optical Observation Forecasting) can be applied for this task. This tool includes two separate performance models. An optical performance model (OPM) for the simulation of telescopes and a radar performance model (RPM) for the simulation of radar systems. Both models can simulate ground or space based systems. The existing RPM for phased-array radar simulations only takes into account a simplified antenna pattern which is derived from that of a parabolic antenna. Larger fields-of-view must be synthesized by a large number of individual patterns.
Since the backbone of Space Surveillance Systems is the phased array radar (e.g. the GRAVES system of the French DoD or the Eglin AFB radar which is a dedicated SSN sensor), this type of sensor has to be simulated more efficient. A new simulation approach is envisaged within a current PROOF software upgrade. The complete scanning area is considered as a single field-of-view with the borders defined relative to a user defined line of sight. In order to determine the true path offset between the scanning beam of the phased array radar and a crossing object, the precise orientation of the beam within the scanning area has to be known at all times. For this reason the path offset is randomly selected to cover the scanning area. Within this paper the complete cycle of the phased array simulation will be described. Finally the new performance is compared with results using the existing model.

Abstract document

IAC-09.A6.P.3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.A6.P.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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