Radar Flashcards
What type of energy is transmitted by he silver eagle II
A continuous wave of electromagnetic energy down the roadway at a frequency of 34.9GHz at the speed of light
What speed does electromagnetic energy travel at
The speed of light - 300 million metres per second
What is the wavelength of the police radar unit
They transmit 34.9GHz therefore the wavelength is 8.59 millimetres
Explain Doppler shift
It is the actual frequency change which takes place as a result of movement between the antenna and target.
The Doppler shift could be called the difference frequency because it is the difference between the transmitted and received frequencies
How do you calculate Doppler shift frequency
Multiply the speed of the target vehicle in km/hr by 64.6
What does an approaching target do to the wavelengths transmitted by the radar
It causes the wavelengths to compress. A shorter wavelength gives a higher frequency
What does a reversing target do to the wavelengths transmitted by the radar
It causes the wavelengths to expand. Therefore a lower frequency
What is the Doppler tone
It is the Doppler shift frequency divided down for listening comfort
What is the importance of a clear tone during a valid speed check
It indicates the radar is monitoring only one target and is not being subjected to any interference
What evidence must changing pitch be accompanied by
Evidence of altering speed
List the behaviour of electromagnetic energy
Reflection Refraction Diffraction Absorption Re-transmitted
Explain reflection and give an example
It is an abrupt change in the direction of a wave. When energy strikes a surface at an angle other than 90 degrees much of it is reflected in directions away from the receiver and is lost.
Eg: a motor vehicle due to its irregular shape can reflect an amount of energy away from the source.
Explain refraction and give an example
It’s when a ray of light meets the surface of separation between two transparent media and it is sharply bent or refracted. The Ray is bent toward the normal as it enters a denser medium and away from the normal as it enters a less dense medium
Eg:
Explain diffraction and give an example
This is when electromagnetic waves are restricted by an aperture or by the edge of an obstacle. Some energy spreads into the region not directly in line with the source.
Eg:
Explain absorption and give an example
Electromagnetic energy at the frequency used by police radar will be absorbed by some compounds. The most common is water. Things with a high water content can also absorb such as grass leaves and shrubs can absorb the energy to varying degrees
The amount of energy returned to the radar antenna from a target will be determined by what two main factors
The reflective area of the target
Distance between the radar antenna and target
How does interference commonly affect the silver eagle II
Display of a speed in the absence of a target
No speed displayed when a target is present