Compounded and twisted in tests the calculation of detection. So how does this work in our game?
Factors and calculations.
Any active detection equipment sends a pulse of energy in a given direction. The pulse is reflected from the target and detectors detect it, after which information is extracted from this event. The model of calculations corresponds to reality. What factors are involved in our mathematical model?
Power in momentum. The longer the pulse, the less accurate the range and the larger the near blind spot.
Strengthening the antenna, depending on the width of the beam. The narrower the beam, the greater the amplification, but longer the time for a full scan of a given sector and an increase in the chance of non-detection of the target of the scan that was in the sector incompletely.
Target radar cross-section. The amount of reflected energy. It depends on the shape, construction and materials of the object being irradiated, as well as its position in relation to the signal source.
Target size. If the target is less than half the radiation wavelength, the target will be invisible.
The size of the receiving antenna, but more correctly - the size of the detector aperture. The more - the more reflected signal will come to the detector, but the more expensive and massive the antenna or lens. It depends on the design, technical level and quality of manufacture.
Detector sensitivity. A signal weaker than the threshold sensitivity will not be detected. It depends on the design, technical level and quality of manufacture.
Background noise level. As long as they exceed the level of the reflected signal, it cannot be detected. The number of losses in the antenna. It depends on the physical parameters, as well as the technical level of manufacture and quality.
Range to target. One of the most important factors, because the energy of any signal is strongly dispersed in space as you move, especially reflected, unfocused. . Technological loss of signal level from about 10 factors that are tied to the technological and design nuances of the technology itself, but we reduce them to 1 parameter, which depends on design, technology and quality.
Crew and officers skills. Not surprisingly, the human factor still plays an important role in the process of cutting off false goals from true ones. The threshold at which automation works can be adjusted, and an experienced operator will get the result for a slightly longer range. Of course, it will not exceed the theoretical threshold.
The use of radar in space, despite its apparent simplicity and efficiency, is far from as basic as it may seem. The absence of atmosphere, moisture and curvature of the surface would seem to give unprecedented growth in detection range and accuracy. However, this increase is much more modest. Detecting small targets beyond 500 to 1,000 kilometers presents a complex technical challenge requiring large antennas and large peak power.
Active laser detection has a number of advantages, such as ultra-narrow beam, but has a significant disadvantage due to the simpler design of protective surfaces.
More promising is the detection of a passive nature. To detect reflected light and other radiation from the star is much easier, in view of much more powerful radiation than man-made active emitters. However, passive detection often cannot provide data on the distance to the target and its speed, which makes it difficult to combat this information.
The main parameters of the detectors are laid at the design and manufacturing stage. Ordinary ship commanders need to keep in mind the following points.
The range of detection of large, medium, small and ultra-small targets. Working modes for maximum range and short distance. Blind zone size. Time to scan a given sector of space. Power consumption of detectors. Their technical condition. The tasks for which the detectors are designed.
The parameters of the detected contact.
The first parameter that is easiest to obtain is the angular coordinates, or simply put, the direction to the target. Both active and passive detectors work well. It should be borne in mind that different technologies have certain errors in accuracy, so at considerable distances the error can reach several sizes of the target and even more. This is due to the wave nature and the minimum resolution of the detector.
If angular coordinates can be obtained from several sources, then the triangulation method can set the range to the target and calculate its approximate velocity and motion vector. Setting angular coordinates is the first level of target detection.
The determination of the range is either by delaying the reflected signal or by triangulation. Range setting is the second level of target detection.
The determination of the vector of motion is based on the angular displacement of the target, the range to it and the Doppler displacement. Motion vectoring is the third level of target detection.
Irradiation of the target is constantly a separate beam in order to obtain more accurate data in a shorter period of time is called target tracking.
Target detection and data accuracy can be strongly influenced by interference, both natural and artificial. Interference can affect any or all levels of detection.
Interference level 0. It means that you get the target data as accurately as possible. Only the physics, the quality, the level of your equipment and the skills of the crew make errors.
Interference level 1. The data is distorted and cannot be completely reliable, but the parameters of the goal are broadly correct.
Interference level 2. It is impossible to obtain any or all of the target parameters reliably.
Interference level 3. For the receiver of this interference, it looks like level 0. The recipient receives the target data, but they are intentionally incorrect. Which channels and how are broken depends on the jammer. Over time, there is an increasing chance of detecting level 3 interference. If there are contradictions between supposedly reliable readings of different detectors, the target has a special mark and it is necessary to choose which detector to consider correct.
Levels 1 and 2 apply sectorally and close the field of view to the detector. Interference level 3 is only possible to cover the platform carrying the station.
Having studied the real mechanics and calculations of electronic warfare mechanisms, we will use artificial simple mechanics to simulate these processes, obtaining very similar results. Each EW station has a certain value of its “power” and “maximum strength”. Maximum EW strength is a numerical value that simulates the processing power of the station and the number of other equipment. Maximum power - the amount of power station, which it can direct to suppress 1 object. If these parameters are equal, then the station is able to throw all its resources to one target. Each detector has a parameter - resistance to EW. While this parameter is not exceeded, the detector successfully sifts out interference created by the enemy. If this parameter is exceeded, the detector receives interference level 1. If this parameter is exceeded by 100%, the interference level becomes 2. If this parameter is exceeded by 500%, it becomes possible to create interference of level 3. The jammer can not know reliably about the level of interference created.
Traps
Traps can be both passive, interfering with the detection of the main goal, and active. Active emitter traps can have a significant modifier for level 3 interference, which increases the chance of cheating.