Fundamentals of Radar
The module provides foundational insights into radar principles, emphasizing the radar equation's importance, key parameters affecting radar systems, and various radar types. It explores the derivation of the radar equation, the concept of Radar Cross-Section (RCS), factors affecting radar performance, and methods for stealth technology. Various radar types such as Continuous Wave, Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, and Pulsed Radar are introduced, each with its operational principle and applications.
Sections
Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.
What we have learnt
- The radar equation quantifies the relationship between transmitted power and received power, crucial for designing radar systems.
- Radar Cross-Section (RCS) is a vital parameter that defines how effectively a target reflects radar signals.
- Different radar types serve various applications, each optimized for specific functionalities and operational environments.
Key Concepts
- -- Radar Equation
- A mathematical relationship that relates the received power of a radar system to the transmitted power, the target's RCS, range, and antenna gain.
- -- Radar CrossSection (RCS)
- An effective area that quantifies how a target reflects radar signals back to the radar, significantly influencing detection capabilities.
- -- Minimum Detectable Signal (Smin)
- The threshold signal power that a radar receiver must exceed for target detection against the noise floor.
- -- Stealth Technology
- Engineering methods aimed at reducing a target's detectability by radar via shaping, materials, and design.
- -- Continuous Wave (CW) Radar
- A radar system that continuously transmits signals and detects changes in frequency due to the Doppler effect, but does not measure range.
- -- Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar
- A radar type that transmits signals of varying frequency allowing for simultaneous measurement of both range and speed of a target.
- -- Pulsed Radar
- A radar system that transmits brief high-power pulses and listens for echoes, measuring target range directly.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.