Table of Contents
Radar
RADAR stands for “Radio Detection and Ranging System”. Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, angle, or velocity of objects. It can detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. It works by radiating energy into the space and monitoring the echo or reflected signal from the objects. It operates in the U.H.F range and microwave range.
Block Diagram of Radar
The RADAR system generally consists of a transmitter that produces an electromagnetic signal radiated into space by an antenna. When this signal strikes any object, it gets reflected or radiated in many directions. This reflected or echo signal is received by the radar antenna which delivers it to the receiver, where it is processed to determine the geographical statistics of the object. The range is determined by calculating the time taken by the signal to travel from RADAR to the target and back. The target location is measured in angle, from the direction of the maximum amplitude echo signal. The antenna points to measure the range and location of moving objects, the Doppler effect is used.
This simple radar consists of these equipments :
- Transmitter
- Waveguide
- Antenna
- Duplexer
- Receiver
- Threshold Decision
Transmitter: It can be a power amplifier like a klystron, a Travelling wave tube, or a power oscillator like a magnetron. The signal is first generated using a waveform generator and then amplified in the power amplifier.
Waveguide: The waveguides are transmission lines for transmitting the RADAR signals.
Antenna: The antenna used can be a parabolic reflector, planar array, or electronically steered phased array.
Duplexer: A duplexer allows the antenna to be used as a transmitter or receiver. It can be a gaseous device that would produce a short circuit at the input to the receiver when the transmitter is working.
Receiver: It can be a superheterodyne receiver or any other receiver that consists of a processor to process the signal and detect it.
Threshold Decision: The output of the receiver is compared with a threshold to detect the presence of any object. If the output is below any threshold, the presence of noise is assumed.
Working Principle of Radar
These are the following Principles of radar:
Reflection of electromagnetic rays: The electromagnetic rays are reflected if they meet an electrically leading surface. This implies that there is an obstacle in its way.
Electromagnetic energy travels through air at a constant speed, at approximately the speed of light. This constant speed allows the determination of the distance between the reflecting objects and the radar site by measuring the running time of the transmitted pulses.
Using the Radar antenna, the energy can be transmitted to the desired direction, implying that the direction of the target can also be determined.
Radar Applications:
Military Application:
- In air defense, it is used for target detection, target recognition, and weapon control (directing the weapon to the tracked targets).
- In missile system to guide the weapon.
- Identifying enemy locations on the map.
Air Traffic Control:
- To control air traffic near airports, Air Surveillance RADAR is used to detect and display the aircraft’s position in the airport terminals.
- To guide the aircraft to land in bad weather using precision approach radar.
- To scan the airport surface for aircraft and ground vehicle positions
Remote Sensing:
RADAR can be used for observing weather or observing planetary positions and monitoring sea ice to ensure smooth routes for ships.
Ground Traffic Control:
RADAR can also be used by traffic police to determine the speed of the vehicles, and control the movement of vehicles by giving warnings about the presence of other vehicles or any other obstacles behind them.
Space:
- To guide the space vehicle for a safe landing on the moon
- To observe the planetary systems
- To detect and track satellites
- To monitor the meteors.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQS)
What is RADAR?
RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. It is a system that uses radio waves to detect the presence, direction, distance, and speed of objects.
What are the main components of a RADAR system?
Transmitter: Generates the radio waves.
Antenna: Transmits the radio waves and receives the echoes.
Receiver: Processes the received echoes.
Processor: Analyzes the data to determine the properties of the detected objects.What are some applications of radar?
These are some applications of radar are:
1. It is used in military
2. It is used in traffic control.
3. It is used in air traffic control and navigation.
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