Study on detection range of microwave over-the-horizon radar network

The influence of radar cross section (RCS) distribution in azimuth on the detection range of microwave over-the-horizon (OTH) radar network is studied in this paper. Firstly, under the condition of the evaporation duct, the propagation factor of the electromagnetic wave is derived by using the parabolic equation method, and the variation of the electromagnetic wave field strength with the propagation distance and the height is obtained. Secondly, on this basis, considering the RCS distribution of the target in altitude and azimuth, and the echo power of the target is studied. The calculation method of the maximum detection range of the target is obtained by using the improved radar equation, and the detection range evaluation model of radar network is established and simulated. Lastly, the simulation results show that the detection range of radar network increases by 11.20% and the detection range increases by 16.67% in specific direction when the motion attitude of the target is unknown. When the motion attitude of the target is known, the radar network increases the maximum detection range in some azimuth angles, which provides a theoretical support for the networking of microwave OTH radar.