To detect objects with radar, the radar system emits radio waves toward the area of interest using an antenna. These waves move through the air and when they encounter an object, some of the energy is reflected back to the radar receiver. The radar receiver captures these reflected signals, which are then processed to determine the distance, speed, size and other characteristics of the detected object.
Radar systems can detect objects by analyzing the time it takes for waves to return (time of flight), the frequency shift of the returned waves (Doppler effect), and the intensity of the reflected signal.
Detecting an object using radar involves analyzing the characteristics of the returned radar signal. When radar waves strike an object, they can be reflected, absorbed or scattered depending on the shape, size, material composition and orientation of the object relative to the radar antenna.
Radar systems are designed to detect these reflections and interpret them to identify the presence, location and movement of objects within the radar coverage area. Advanced radar techniques such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and pulse doppler radar improve the ability to detect and classify objects with greater accuracy and resolution.
The radar can detect stationary objects as long as they sufficiently reflect radar waves back to the receiver.
The ability to detect stationary objects is fundamental to radar applications such as air traffic control, weather monitoring and ground surveillance. Radar systems are sensitive enough to detect even small stationary objects like parked vehicles, buildings or terrain features. Key factors influencing radar detection of stationary objects include the sensitivity of the radar system, the operating frequency, and the reflective properties of the object’s surface.
Radar generally cannot “see through” solid objects such as walls or dense materials.
Radar waves are electromagnetic waves that behave differently when encountering various materials. Although radar can penetrate certain materials like wood, fabric, and drywall to some extent, its ability to see through objects is limited. However, radar systems can detect objects behind obstacles if the waves can reflect off surfaces or penetrate materials with minimal attenuation. Radar technologies such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) are designed specifically to penetrate the ground to detect buried objects like pipes or archaeological features.
Each radar application relies on its specific design and operating principles to achieve the desired detection capabilities