Skywave Radar Altitude Estimation Algorithm Based on Matched-field Processing

Skywave over-the-horizon radar usually detects targets over the sea surface using Range-Doppler (RD) processing. RD processing can obtain the slant range and Doppler frequency of the target, but the altitude can not be derived. An algorithm based on the matched-field processing is proposed to estimate the targets altitude. The algorithm uses the return signal in a single dwell. Simulation result shows that under the specified simulation scenario, the altitude estimation error is within 2000 m. Comparing with the log likelihood function algorithm, the proposed algorithm has better robustness.