Surveillance radar (secondary surveillance radar, secondary radar)

Surveillance radar (secondary surveillance radar, secondary radar)

The two types of surveillance radar are primary surveillance radar (PSR) and secondary surveillance radar (SSR). Primary surveillance radar works by emitting radio waves and detecting reflections from objects such as aircraft, providing information about their location and movement without relying on any equipment on the target. Secondary surveillance radar, on the other hand, relies on transponders in the aircraft that respond to interrogations from the radar, providing more detailed information, including the aircraft’s identity and altitude.

The two main types of space radar are synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and radar altimeters. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) creates high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface using the movement of the radar antenna over the target area. It is capable of operating in all weather conditions and during the day and night. Radar altimeters measure the distance between the satellite and the Earth’s surface, providing precise data on surface elevations, ocean topography and ice thickness.

Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) are both used in air traffic control but operate differently. The PSR detects aircraft by transmitting radio waves and analyzing reflections from the aircraft surface, operating independently of any aircraft equipment. SSR, on the other hand, interacts with transponders on the aircraft, which respond to radar interrogations by transmitting data to the radar. This data includes not only the aircraft’s position, but also additional information such as its identity and altitude, enabling more comprehensive air traffic tracking and management.