Statistical study of incoherent integration applied to simulated power spectra of radar signals backscattered from equatorial electrojet irregularities

Abstract

Spectral analysis of radar echoes through spectral moment estimation allows to identify the characteristics of plasma irregularities from equatorial electrojet. The curve fitting using the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) was chosen as the technique to obtain the plasma irregularity information. The implication of applying distinct number of incoherent integration to simulated Type 1 plasma irregularity radar spectra is investigated. The response of the fitting is evaluated using the covariance matrix of the MLE. A statistical study of incoherent integration applied to equatorial electrojet plasma irregularity spectra is presented in order to determine its effects over the estimation of Doppler velocities. The optimal values of incoherent integrations in relation to the goodness of the fitting are obtained in order to better determine the Type 1 plasma irregularity characteristics. © 2007 Sociedade Brasileira de Geofísica.