Primary Radar Principles

Question 1

What do we use Primary Radar for in Area Control?

Answer 1

Terminal Control
Air Defence

Question 2

What do we use Primary Radar for in Approach Control?

Answer 2

Vectoring to final approach
SRA

Question 3

What do we use Primary Radar for in Aerodrome Control?

Answer 3

Air
Traffic Integration
Approach Monitoring

Ground
Runway Protection
Monitoring Ground Movements
Hazard Identification

Question 4

What does Radar stand for?

Answer 4

RAdio
Detection
And
Ranging

Question 5

What is the basic principle of Primary Radar?

Answer 5

Primary radar transmits a pulse of radio energy then determines the position of an object from energy that is reflected.

Question 6

How is the position of an object determined by Radar?

Answer 6

The position of the object is determined by the direction the radar was pointing and the time between the transmitted pulse and the received echo.

Question 7

When was the first primary radar made?

Answer 7

1935, Wilkins/Watson Experiment

Question 8

Within which wavelength is primary radar?

Answer 8

1mm to 100cm

Question 9

Are higher or lower frequencies more attenuated?

Answer 9

The higher frequency/shorter wavelength is more attenuated due to its increased interaction with air molecules.

Low frequency/longer wavelength is less attenuated.

Question 10

Which wavelengths are used for which uses?

Answer 10

2-3cm for SMR/Wx Radar
3-10cm for PAR
23-50cm used for Area Radar

Question 11

For a farther distance do you use a longer/shorter wavelength?

Answer 11

Longer wavelength for farther distance. This is because low frequency/longer wavelength is less attenuated

Question 12

Define a PSR Blip

Answer 12

The visual indication, in non symbolic form, on a situation display of the position of an aircraft obtained by primary radar.

Question 13

Define a Position Indication

Answer 13

A generic term for the visual indication on a situation display of the position of an aircraft, aerodrome vehicle or other object, in symbolic or non-symbolic form.

Question 14

Define a Position Symbol

Answer 14

A visual indication in symbolic form, on a situation display, of the position of an aircraft, aerodrome vehicle or other object obtained after automatic processing of positional data derived from any source.

Question 15

Define a Radar Contact

Answer 15

The situation which exists when the radar position of a particular aircraft is seen and identified on a situation display.

Question 16

Define Radar Control

Answer 16

Term used to indicate that radar-derived information is employed directly in the provision of air traffic control service.

Question 17

Define Situation Display

Answer 17

An electronic display depicting the position and movement of aircraft and other information as required.

Question 18

What are the three basic blocks of Primary Radar?

Answer 18

Transmission, Reception and Display

Question 19

Sometimes a Radar has a duplexer between the transmitter and receiver. What is a duplexer?

Answer 19

A transceiver that can only do one thing at a time.