Performance prediction of a network of skywave over-the-horizon radars

We introduce a radar network design methodology to address the challenge of designing a network of skywave overt-he-horizon radar (OTHR). The approach can be used to optimise the number of radars, the location of each radar, the sensitivity of each radar, and the total network system cost, based on the chosen mission objectives. The approach postulates these parameters and evaluates radar performance based on ionospheric propagation and noise models and a model of the radar detection and tracking sensitivity. We demonstrate the method with a stylised example of a three radar network directed at the eastern region of Australia from radars located in New Zealand, Norfolk Island and New Caledonia. The network is evaluated for performance with respect to commercial aircraft flights operating between several major Australian cities and Sydney.