What is a Monopulse Comparator?
A monopulse comparator is a key component in monopulse tracking radar to track the target (for example, aircraft tracking). Typically, a monopulse tracking radar system consists of four horn antenna feeds, A, B, C, and D, which are used with one paraboloid reflector and are placed around the axis of the parabola. This tracking radar can determine the angular position and distance of a target. A single transmitter feeds the horn antennas simultaneously so that the sum of four signals of the same frequency and phase is transmitted.
The monopulse comparator is an RF hardware signal processing device connected to the feed horn antennas. It is used in the receiver path of the tracking radar system. The echo signal is received by each horn and is fed to the input ports of the monopulse comparator. Now, this comparator combines the 4 quadrant antenna inputs to give a sum, a horizontal difference (Dh), and vertical difference (Dv) signals.
Sum signal: A+B+C+D
Horizontal Difference Signal (Dh): (A+B) – (C+D)
Vertical Difference Signal (Dv): (A+C) – (B+D)
Monopulse comparators are available in both waveguide and coaxial configurations and with key features such as low VSWR, high power handling with minimum insertion loss, and high isolation between ports.
Key Specification of Monopulse Comparator:
- Operating Frequency: It is the operating frequency range of the monopulse comparator.
- Isolation: It is the isolation provided (in dB) between sum, horizontal and vertical elevation channels.
