The single-pulse method uses several reception channels and by simultaneous processing
of all received signals determines the angular coordinates of the target, usually using
a single impulse received from it.
The single pulse method can be amplitude or phase. The most used is the method
amplitude mono-pulse, which for the determination of the angular coordinate realizes
the comparison of the amplitude of the received signals on two characteristics oriented in easy directions
different.
◊ single-pulse amplitude method for a single angular coordinate
-The principle consists in the use at reception of two directivity characteristics, called sum and difference. The two characteristics are obtained with the help of two elementary antennas arranged in the plane of the measuring angle. The antennas are oriented in slightly different directions. The sum characteristic is a characteristic
the directive obtained by summing up the signals received by the two antennas.
Only the sum characteristic is used for transmission, and both characteristics for reception. The survey signal is emitted on the sum characteristic.
At reception a is used to detect the target at the maximum possible distance, to measure the distance and to determine the approximate coordinate.
angular, β or ε.
The difference characteristic is used to increase the accuracy of the determination of the respective angular coordinate. It consists of two lobes slightly offset in that plane.
The characteristic is obtained by decreasing the received signals on the two antennas. The value of the difference and its sign depends on the deviation of the target from the normal direction of radiation of the antenna. The accuracy of determining the angular coordinate is much higher than that of the sum characteristic.
OBS! The set of circuits and transmission lines required to obtain single-pulse signals is called a comparator, especially for tracking radars.