What are the advantages of bistatic radar?
Bistatic radar offers several advantages over monostatic radar systems. A key benefit is improved stealth detection capabilities. By separating the transmitter and receiver, bistatic radar can detect stealthy targets that have been designed to minimize their radar cross section (RCS). Spatial separation of the transmitting and receiving antennas allows the bistatic radar to exploit different illumination and reception angles, potentially improving target detection in cluttered or jamming environments. Additionally, bistatic radar systems may be more resilient against electronic countermeasures because jamming signals aimed at the transmitter may not affect the receiver, and vice versa. This feature makes bistatic radar suitable for applications in military surveillance, stealth technology development, and air and maritime traffic surveillance.
The principle of bistatic radar consists of using separate transmitting and receiving antennas located at different positions. Unlike monostatic radar, where the transmitter and receiver are co-located, bistatic radar uses spatial diversity between the transmitting and receiving antennas to detect and track targets. The transmitter sends radar signals, which are reflected off targets and received by the separate receiver antenna. By analyzing differences in signal propagation paths and reflections, bistatic radar systems can measure target characteristics such as range, speed, and radar cross section (RCS). This configuration provides benefits in flexibility, resilience to jamming, and potential cost savings by leveraging existing infrastructure for deployment.
Bistatic angle in radar refers to the angle between the transmitter target and receiver target paths in a bistatic radar system. In bistatic radar, the bistatic angle determines the geometric relationship between the transmitting and receiving antennas and the target. It influences radar cross-section (RCS) measurements, as well as the detection and tracking capabilities of the radar system. The bistatic angle affects the Doppler shift and delay of radar signals reflected from moving targets, impacting the accuracy and resolution of measurements such as target range and velocity. Bistatic angle optimization is crucial to maximize the performance and efficiency of bistatic radar systems in various applications, including surveillance, remote sensing, and defense.
The main difference between bistatic radar and monostatic radar is the configuration and placement of the transmitting and receiving antennas. In monostatic radar systems, the transmitter and receiver are co-located at the same position, sharing a single antenna for transmitting and receiving radar signals. This configuration simplifies the design and operation of the radar system, but limits the radar’s ability to detect targets from different angles and directions simultaneously. In contrast, bistatic radar systems separate the transmitting and receiving antennas, positioning them in different locations. This spatial diversity allows bistatic radar to exploit different illumination and reception angles, potentially improving target detection in cluttered environments or jamming. Bistatic radar systems offer advantages in stealth detection, resilience to electronic countermeasures, and deployment flexibility compared to monostatic radar.
Passive radar systems use existing signals from external sources, such as commercial broadcast stations or global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), as illumination sources for target detection. Unlike active radar systems that transmit their own signals, passive radar systems receive and process signals reflected by targets from external sources. The benefits of passive radar include reduced emissions, making it more difficult for adversaries to detect, intercept or jam. Passive radar systems can also operate covertly, minimizing their electromagnetic signature and improving operational security. Additionally, passive radar systems can leverage existing infrastructure, reducing deployment costs and logistical requirements. These features make passive radar suitable for applications in surveillance, air traffic control, environmental monitoring and military operations where stealth, flexibility and cost effectiveness are priorities.