GENERAL INCOHERENT-SCATTER ANALYSIS AND GUISDAP

In modern incoherent scatter measurements very complicated coding sche mes are used to achieve the necessary statistical accuracy in the meas urements. The ambiguity functions specify how the measurement weights the plasma autocorrelation function in the two-dimensional space of ra nge and lag. Alternatively one can work in the space of range and freq uency, and it is necessary to derive the ambiguity (instrument, weight ing) functions also in terms of these variables.In this paper we summa rize the theory of ambiguity functions and discuss the use of lag prof iles as tools of describing arbitrary kinds of incoherent scatter meas urements. We also develope a general way to calculate error estimates of estimated autocorrelation function values values. Finally, we short ly discuss how the formalism is used in the GUISDAP (Grand Unified Inc oherent Scatter Design and Analysis Package) software.