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Mallesham Devasane
Dec 30 GATE EC

Basics of Radar
Radar: In basic communications, there are two types of communication one is
analog and another is digital. But in advanced communication, we will discuss the
communication through radar, satellite etc. Mostly they are developed for of
military purpose or security purpose.
A radar consists of a transmitter and receiver, each connected to a directional
antenna. The transmitter radiates or transmits electromagnetic radiations
generated by a magnetron oscillator. The receiver antenna, collects the returned
echo signal and delivers it to the receiver where it is processed to detect the
presence of the target and to extract its relative velocity with respect to radar
station if the target is moving.
Pulse Reception Frequency (PRF) or Pulse Repetition rate (PRR) is number of
pulses per unit time. These pulses are transmitted by a highly directional parabolic
antenna at the target, which can re ect (echo) some of the energy back to the
same antenna. The re ected energy is received and time measurements are made,
to determine the distance of the target.
After the radar pulse has been transmitted, a su cient rest time must be allowed
for echo to return so as not to interfere with next transmit pulse. Time difference
between two successive pulses is called as Pulse Repetition Time (PRT).
PRT Determination Formula: Pulse repetition time determines the maximum
distance to the target to be measured, that is range

where Δt is the time from transmitter to receiver in microseconds.

For higher accuracy and shorter ranges

The range beyond which objects appear as second return echoes is called the
Maximum Unambiguous Range (MUR).

where, PRT is in μs.

In timing diagram distance between pulse 1 and pulse 2 is called as maximum

range.
Minimum range = 164 PW yards

where PW is Pulse-Width in μs.

Average power = Peak power × duty cycle

Maximum Range (R max ): Maximum radar range is the distance beyond which the
target cannot be detected. It occurs when the received echo signal power p r just
equals the minimum detectable signal (S min ).
where, λ = Wavelength of radiated energy,
A e = Capture (or effective) area of receiving antenna
G = Transmitter gain
σ = Radar cross-section of target

Note: By increasing P t by 16 times, R max becomes just double.

Effect of Noise on Maximum Range: Noise affects the maximum range in so far, as
it determines the minimum power that the receiver can handle.

where, k = Boltzmann's constant

T 0 = Standard ambient temperature (290 K)
B = Bandwidth of receiver
kT 0 B = Noise input power of receiver
F = Noise gure of receiver

where, D = Antenna diameter in metre

σ = Effective cross-section area in metre 2
Key Points

The single most practical method of improving the radar range is to increase
the antenna aperture which is proportional to its gain.
Bandwidth required for receiver is n/T, where T is the pulse duration and n is
number whose ranges from 1 to 10 depending on circumstances.

Blind Speed: If the target has uniform velocity, the successive sweeps will have
Doppler phase shifts of exactly 2π and the target appears stationary and gives
wrong radar indication. The speed corresponding to this condition is called blind
speed.

where, v b = Blind speed

λ = Wavelength of transmitted pulse
n = Any integer (1, 2,….)

Doppler Effect: If the observer is moving with respect to source, he observes

change in frequency of the wave emitted by source, this is called as Doppler effect
or Doppler shift.
Observed frequency f is given by

 and
doppler shift

where, v sr = v s – v r is the relative velocity source with respect to receiver.

f 0 is frequency of wave radiated by source.
In radar technology, Doppler effect is using for the following tasks

Speed measuring
MIT (Moving Target Indication)
In air or space based radar system for precise determination of lateral
distances.

Doppler Frequency (f d )

where, f d = Doppler frequency shift

v r = Relative velocity of target with respect to radar
v r = v cos θ

v = Speed of the target

when θ = 0

when θ = 90° (f d ) min = 0

Tags : GATE EC GATE EC Electromagnetics

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Comments WRITE A COMMENT

Jinitha Sep 28
The rst formula for radar range equation is formula for Rmax^4.
4 UPVOTE 0 REPLY

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