What is beamwidth in radar?
Beamwidth in radar: Beamwidth in radar refers to the spread or angular coverage of the radar beam emitted by the antenna. It defines the angular width of the main lobe of the antenna radiation pattern in the azimuthal (horizontal) or elevation (vertical) plane. Beamwidth is crucial in determining the spatial resolution and coverage area of the radar system. A narrower beamwidth focuses radar energy into a narrower angular region, providing higher spatial resolution and better target discrimination, but potentially limiting the coverage area.
Conversely, a wider beamwidth covers a wider angular region, providing a larger coverage area but potentially lower spatial resolution. Beamwidth is influenced by antenna design, operating frequency, antenna aperture size, and beamforming techniques used in radar systems.
Radar beam angle: Radar beam angle refers to the angle between the radar beam axis and a reference direction, generally perpendicular to the plane of the radar antenna. It represents the direction in which the radar beam is transmitted or received relative to the orientation of the antenna.
In practical terms, the beam angle determines the azimuthal or elevation direction of radar coverage and target detection. Radar systems often use adjustable beam angles to scan specific sectors or areas of interest, allowing operators to focus radar resources as necessary for surveillance, tracking or communications purposes. Beam angles are essential in radar applications such as air traffic control, weather monitoring, maritime navigation and military surveillance, where precise directional coverage and target tracking capabilities are essential for efficiency and operational security