Patent attributes
A phased array radar apparatus and method for identifying targets in an environment includes a phased array radar transmitter, a first phased array radar receiver, a second phased array radar receiver, and a radar controller. The first and second phased array radar receivers are configured such that the first and second phased array radar receivers have effectively the same configuration. The radar controller uses the first and second receive beams to calculate an amplitude monopulse ratio and identify angle information of the targets within the environment. The present invention enables high precision estimation of target angle information while scanning over a wide field of view in a single scan. The radar apparatus further uses a complex amplitude monopulse ratio and a weighted target angle histogram to distinguish between closely separated targets that would otherwise be viewed as a single target by conventional monopulse radar apparatuses.