A method for determination of the coordinates of a low-altitude target

Operation of a monopulse meter of the objects?? angular coordinates under the multipath propagation conditions during tracking of the objects located at small elevation angles above the underlying surface, the so-called low-altitude targets (LATs), is analyzed. A method for measuring the LAT angular coordinates, which is based on separation of the aperture plane of the meter??s antenna system into four identical subapertures (partial channels of the meter) so that the phase centers of these subapertures are located pairwise symmetrically in the horizontal and vertical planes and are arranged into a rhombic structure, is proposed. Combinations of the output signals of these subapertures used for formation of the meter??s discriminator curves (DCs) are analyzed. Relationships that are used in construction of the operation algorithm of the beam handling system in tracking of a LAT and ensure independence of the DC shape on the characteristics of the underlying surface are derived. An algorithm for determination of the LAT coordinates is described and the results of simulation of the meter operation are presented.