WHAT IS RADAR?
WHAT IS RADAR?
The word radar is coined from the phrase “Radio detection and
Ranging”. It is basically an echo-ranging system in which electromagnetic
energy in the from of high-power short-duration pulse are sent out at distant
objects or targets. The reflected signal or the echo is received at the transmitting station and analysis to obtain information on the location of the
targets.
Essentially, the radar system consists of a transmitter and
receiver, both connected to a directional antenna through a switching
arrangement, called a duplexer. A small portion of the pulse power generated by
the transmitter excites the duplexer which disconnects the receiver from the antenna
and connects the transmitter to the antenna. In most systems, the antenna scans
i,e., rotates to direct the radiated beam as
desired. The scanning speed is small compared to the speed of light in free
space, so that the antenna does not rotate significantly in the time taken by
the radiated signal to return from a normal range of targets.
When the transmitted pulse is over, the duplexer disconnects
the transmitter from the antenna and reconnects the receiver to the antenna.
The reflected pulse are received and processed at the receiver which is
invariably super heterodyne. The
demodulated pulse are then
fed to an indicator or a display device for analysis. The transmission and reception of pulses
continue as the antenna scans in a predetermined fashion.
In order that the target direction can be precisely found,
the radar antenna must have the dimensions of a few wavelengths to produce
sharp, narrow beams. Hence short wavelengths have to be used. The
pulse-modulated UHF or microwave frequencies are employed in radar. The radar
power is typically a few hundred kW.
USE OF RADAR
1) Military
use:
Detection of enemy ships or aircrafts by radar helps
aiming of guns at them.
Radar also find applications in searching for
submarines and in directing guided missiles.
Ballistic missiles can be detected by radar mounted on
satellites.
Radar displays are employed to bomb ships or cities at
night or under overcast conditions.
2) CIVILIAN
USE:
As plains, oceans, cities, mountains etc. reflect radar
signals to different extents, useful information for navigation can be obtained
from radar .
Such information is not influenced by darkness or
whether conditions. Radar sets housed in ships can locate land, marker buoys,
other ships etc. Radar are used in mapping, meteorology, air-traffic control at
airports providing landing facilities, and by police forces for traffic speed
control and prosecution of offenders.
3) Scientific
use:
Radar are employed in finding map positions of islands.
Valuable information on the distances and motions of different planetary bodies
has been obtained with the aid of radar.
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