Augmenting the signal processing–based mitigation techniques for removing wind turbine and radar interference

The interference between wind turbine generators and radar is now being considered as one of the major deterrents towards seeking clearance for new wind energy project. The windfarm developers have to seek clearance from Civil Air Traffic Control and Defence Department certifying that the windfarms will not create interference with radars. The tower of wind turbine generator along with blades presents a large radar cross section to radars, thus creating static clutter; moreover, rotation of wind turbine generator blades creates Doppler ambiguities which confuse radar operators. Many radar designers have proposed mitigation techniques to overcome this issue; however, each technique has its own limitation. The study takes a two-pronged approach to address the issue of wind turbine generator static clutter due to tower and blades and the resolution of Doppler ambiguities through signal processing–based mitigation techniques. In addition, the study also suggests the use of micro-Doppler techniques for signature identification of wind turbine generator blades for eliminating their effect during the radar signal processing. The article presents a step-by-step mitigation technique to resolve the wind turbine generator and radar interference issue.