Continuous wave (CW) radar works by continuously transmitting a continuous wave of radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy without interruption. Unlike pulsed radar systems that emit short bursts of energy followed by listening periods, CW radar transmits and receives signals simultaneously. In CW radar, the radar transmitter and receiver operate independently, allowing the system to continuously measure the frequency shift (Doppler effect) caused by moving targets.
By detecting changes in the frequency of the reflected signal, the CW radar can determine the speed of objects relative to the radar antenna. CW radar is commonly used in applications such as speed radar for traffic monitoring, Doppler radar for weather forecasting, and radar altimeters for aircraft altitude measurement.
The basics of radar antennas involve their role in transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in radar systems. Antennas serve as an interface between the radar transmitter or receiver and the surrounding environment.
Key aspects of radar antennas include their design parameters such as shape, size, aperture size, polarization and beam width. Radar antennas are designed to efficiently radiate electromagnetic waves through space in a specific direction, focusing energy toward desired targets and maximizing signal strength and reception sensitivity. Different types of radar antennas, such as parabolic reflector antennas, phased array antennas and horn antennas, are selected according to the application requirements of the radar system, including range, resolution, coverage area.
coverage and environmental conditions. Understanding radar antenna basics is crucial to optimize radar performance and achieve accurate detection, tracking and measurement capabilities in various operational scenarios