Why does radar stand for

Continuous wave radar systems put out one constant signal. While this can make for higher-resolution feedback, it also makes the radars more detectable by opposing forces. This means they can be jammed and deterred more easily, making them less effective when stealth is necessary.

Pulsed wave radar systems repeatedly put out shorted signals. This saves energy, makes them less detectable, and prevents them from being jammed. While they may seem elementary, having a grasp on these basic radar concepts is key in understanding simple and complex radar systems alike. They hold true for all sorts of applications, from weather and law enforcement to military radars. Check out this guide to radar basics and terminology.

Signals are electromagnetic radio waves produced by a radar transmitter. These signals travel through space until they eventually collide with an object and reflect or scatter. RF energy or RF waves are a form of electromagnetic energy that is used purposefully by humans or systems in controlled applications. Illumination refers to the process of directing electromagnetic radio waves toward an object.

Electromagnetic waves scatter or reflect when the medium they are traveling through changes. The waves or radio signals hit the object and are then reflected back to the object.

The transmitter has to wait for the radio signals sent out through the antenna to hit the object and be reflected back before they can send another signal. The range and resolution of the radar data will depend on how frequently the pulses are transmitted to the object.

The antenna that was used to make the signal transmission to the object will again capture the returning signal and send it to the receiver.

The range of the object can then be determined by timing the transmission and reception of the pulses. Of importance to note is the fact that the radar must not be transmitted at the same time as when it is being received. This is because the transmitter transmits stronger pulses and signals that are then received by the weaker receiver that receives weaker signals.

In this case, the receiver would be damaged if this were to happen. The Pulse-Doppler radar is responsible for transmitting high pulse repetition frequency. The signal being transmitted and the reflected signal are then mixed in a detector to get the shift in Doppler. The difference in signal is then filtered using a device known as the Doppler filter.

It is at this point that the noise is filtered and removed to remain with a clear signal. The MTI radar transmits low pulse repetition frequency with an aim of avoiding the range ambiguities that are associated with radar.

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