Radar systems typically consist of several core components, including the antenna, transmitter, receiver, duplexer, signal processor, and display. The antenna transmits and receives radar signals. The transmitter generates the radar pulses or continuous wave. The receiver captures the reflected signals. The duplexer allows the antenna to switch between transmit and receive modes. The signal processor analyzes the received signals and converts them into useful data. The display presents the processed information to the user.
Radar systems come in different types, including pulse radar, continuous wave radar, frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, and Doppler radar. Pulse radar transmits short pulses of electromagnetic energy and measures the time it takes for the pulses to return. Continuous wave radar transmits a continuous signal and detects Doppler shifts to measure speed. The FMCW radar continuously varies its frequency and measures the difference between transmitted and received frequencies to determine range and speed. Doppler radar uses the Doppler effect to measure the speed of moving targets.
The elements of radar include the antenna, which transmits and receives signals; The transmitter, which generates the radar signal; The receiver, which captures the reflected signals; the duplexer, which switches between transmission and reception; the signal processor, which analyzes and processes the data; and the display, which presents the information to the operator. These elements work together to detect, track and identify targets.
Radar systems are classified by their range capabilities, generally categorized into short range, medium and long range. Short-range radar is designed to detect objects at close ranges, often used for navigation and collision avoidance. Medium-range radar covers intermediate distances and is used in applications such as air traffic control and weather monitoring. Long-range radar is capable of detecting targets at great distances, suitable for long-range surveillance and defense applications.