INFORMING SYSTEM PARAMETER CONSTRAINTS ON TERRESTRIAL PASSIVE RADAR EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN USING JOVIAN DECAMETRIC RADIATION

• Main Author: Nessly, Karissa J.
• Other Authors: Peters, Sean T., Space Systems Academic Group (SP), Smithtro, Christopher G.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School 2023
• Subjects: Jupiter; radio emission; passive sounding; passive radar; echo detection; Greenland; glacier; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10945/72235

Due to recent success in Greenland showing that the Sun can be used as a source for passive radar sounding to monitor glacier and ice sheet thickness, we intend to answer the longstanding question of similarly using Jupiter as a passive radar source. While this theory has been extensively examined in literature, there has been no in situ experiment demonstrating that Jupiter’s radio emissions can successfully be used as a passive radar source. Our research evaluated system parameter constraints on terrestrial passive radar system design using Jupiter’s radio emissions for the first time. Our results showed that Jupiter’s radio emissions are limited spatiotemporally to several hours of the day, which can significantly impact experimental design and planning. We analyzed Jupiter’s resolution capabilities and found that the best slant range resolution would be obtained at night with an elevation angle of 50° (4.05m -4.5m), while a 10° elevation angle at noon degraded this resolution. If the technique is effective, it could allow military and DOD users to capitalize on ambient radio signals of opportunity as source for passive radar, reduce spectrum overcrowding, and provide long-term observations of current and evolving threats in complex environments. Additionally, as a passive radar does not, itself, radiate, it has the potential to also be used in situations where an active radar would not be ideal. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. Lieutenant, United States Navy