Structure Optimization of Onboard Helicopter Radar for Surface Elevation Measurements

A method for measuring the surface relief from a helicopter based on the sum and difference amplitude direction finder is proposed. Its statistical optimization is performed using the theory of synthesis of radio engineering systems for remote sensing and radiolocation. The obtained algorithms for estimating the position of the strobing pulse in time, the range to each point of the surface, and their angular position within the linear section of the difference radiation pattern are analyzed. Based on the obtained algorithms, a block diagram of the helicopter radar for measuring surface elevation is synthesized.