Stationary target indication
Encyclopedia
Stationary target indication (STI) is a mode of operation of a radar
to discriminate a target against clutter
.
In contrast to another mode, moving target indication
(MTI), it cannot take an advantage of the fact that the target moves with respect to clutter. Therefore the radar must exploit some intrinsic characteristics of the target which are different from those of clutter. The simplest method is available when the apparent size of the target is relatively small with respect to clutter source. In this case the reduced pulse and beam width which matches the expected target size may produce good signal to noise ratio (target to clutter ratio). Additional discrimination capabilities rely on target imaging or scattering properties of the target.
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
to discriminate a target against clutter
Clutter (radar)
Clutter is a term used for unwanted echoes in electronic systems, particularly in reference to radars. Such echoes are typically returned from ground, sea, rain, animals/insects, chaff and atmospheric turbulences, and can cause serious performance issues with radar systems.- Backscatter coefficient...
.
In contrast to another mode, moving target indication
Moving target indication
Moving target indication is a mode of operation of a radar to discriminate a target against clutter. In contrast to another mode, stationary target indication, it takes an advantage of the fact that the target moves with respect to stationary clutter. The most common approach takes advantage of...
(MTI), it cannot take an advantage of the fact that the target moves with respect to clutter. Therefore the radar must exploit some intrinsic characteristics of the target which are different from those of clutter. The simplest method is available when the apparent size of the target is relatively small with respect to clutter source. In this case the reduced pulse and beam width which matches the expected target size may produce good signal to noise ratio (target to clutter ratio). Additional discrimination capabilities rely on target imaging or scattering properties of the target.