Radar Fundamentals Flashcards

1
Q

Define wavelength

A

Physical distance of one complete wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define frequency

A

Number of cycles that the RF energy completes per second

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Lower freq radar characteristics

A
Long wavelength
Large antenna
Components generate high transmit power
Low atmospheric attenuation 
Good long range detection capability 
Best long range for EW Radars
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Med freq radar characteristics

A

Small wavelength allow smaller antenna
Components cannot handle much power-less detection range
Some atmospheric attenuation
Used by ASR, HF,GCI,SAM,&ADA Radars

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

High freq radars characteristics

A
Shorter wavelength and smaller antennas
Smaller components allow less power-shorter detection range
High precision
Atmospheric attenuation 
Fire control radars- SAM & ADA
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define amplitude

A

The electromagnetic signal strength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define Phase

A

A compete 360 degree cycle of an EM wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define polarization

A

Orientation of the electrical field in an EM wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define Beam Width

A

An angular size of the mainbeam, normally expressed in degrees

Technically the width in degrees between the points where the mainbeam decreases to half power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define Pulse Width

A

The time radar is transmitting each pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define Pulse Length

A

The distance between the leading and trailing edge of a Pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define PRF

A

The rate at which pulses are transmitted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Discuss polarization

A

Linear: horizontal, vertical and slant

Circular: right hand, left hand waves whose polarization rotates thru 360 degrees in every wavelength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Discuss power

A

Strength of a radar signal:

Signal hitting a tgt: 1/r^2

Signal received by a radar: 1/r^4

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Discuss reflection

A

The process of reradiating an incident radio wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Discuss refraction

A

The bending of an Em wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Discuss diffraction

A

Phenomenon observed when a radio wave spreads around objects whose size is comparable to its wavelength and bends around the edges of larger objects; it increases with wavelength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Discuss subrefraction ducting

A

Decreases radar LOS by bending the radar beam upward, decreasing its detection range

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Discuss superrefraction ducting

A

Increase radar detection range by bending the beam downward, increasing the radar horizon and overcoming the masking caused by the earth’s curvature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Discuss the impact of the antenna on the radar pattern, BW, and angular resolution

A

Antenna determines beam shape and size

Larger antenna = narrower BW

Narrower BW = higher angular resolution in AZ/EL

21
Q

Characteristics of parabolic antennas

A

Large sidelobes
Easiest and cheapest to manufacture
Transmitter/receiver at focus of parabola

22
Q

Discuss the characteristics of mechanically scanned planar array antennas

A

Flat faced antenna mechanically scanned in AZ/EL

Consists of an array of many Indiv radiators of equal Phase distributed over a flat surface

    Slots cut in the walls of a complex of     waveguides behind the antennas face

    Designed to distribute the radiated power across the array so as to MINIMIZE SIDELOBES
23
Q

Discuss ESA characteristics

A

Mounted in a fixed position

Beam is steered by individually controlling the Phase of the radio waves transmitted and received by each radiating segment

24
Q

Discuss passive ESA

A

Operates in conjunction With the same type of central transmitter as an MSA

Beam is steered by an electronically controlled Phase shifter placed behind each radiating element

25
Q

Discuss active ESA

A

Instead of a Phase shifter, a small T/R module is placed behind each radiating element

26
Q

Discuss ESA limitations

A

FOR
Apparent size of the antenna decreases when viewed from angles off-bore sight

Electronically complex

27
Q

Advantages of CW Radar

A

High AOP/greater detection range

28
Q

Disadvantages of CW Radar

A

Separate transmitter and receiver

Unable to determine range

29
Q

Discuss Average Output Power

A

Peak power averaged over the PRI

30
Q

Discuss pulse ranging

A

Range accuracy is good

Radar transmits an RF signal, RF reflects off a tgt, RF echoes are received

31
Q

Discuss range resolution

A

Is determined by tau

Pulse length/2

32
Q

Discuss range rate

A

Computed on the basis of change in the measured range with time

*Not the best method to determine tgt speed

33
Q

Discuss resolution cell

A

The smallest amount of 3D airspace in which radar cannot distinguish between multiple tgts

  • AZ/EL resolution is based on BW and range to the tgts
  • range resolution is based on tau
34
Q

Advantages of pulsed radar

A

Only one antenna required
Good range accuracy
Simple electronics
Good Ground mapping and weather detection

35
Q

Disadvantages of pulses radar

A

Lower AOP limits range detection

Cannot filter out ground clutter without increased processing

Not very accurate in velocity measurements

36
Q

How does CW/Doppler measure velocity

A

Measures the shift in freq of an EM wave radiated reflected or received by an object in motion

37
Q

How CW/Doppler cancels ground clutter

A

Filtered out using Doppler processing

38
Q

Discuss the impact of mainbeam and sidelobe clutter on tgt detection

A

Mainbeam clutter is good for ground mapping, bad when searching for aircraft
- normally a factor only during lookdown

39
Q

Characteristics of PD radars

A

Accurate range measurement (*time Domain)

Doppler allows for accurate measurement of tgt velocity, all aspect detection and tracking and ground clutter rejection (*frequency Domain)

Combine the capabilities of pulsed and Doppler radars

40
Q

Advantages of CW/Doppler radar

A

Can filter out ground clutter

High AOP increase detection range

Very accurate velocity measurement

Simple

Good against high aspect angle tgts

41
Q

Disadvantages of CW/Doppler radar

A

Susceptible to Doppler notch

Two antenna required; more weight and space

No range info

Degraded capes against beam and stern tgts

42
Q

Impact operating PRF has on MPRF and HPRF PD radars

A

MPRF

  • good all aspect detection
  • decreased detection range compared to HPRF

HPRF

  • good long range detection for high aspect tgts
  • difficult to determine range to tgt
43
Q

Advantages of PD radars

A

Only one antenna required

Filters out ground clutter

High output power

Good all aspect capability

44
Q

Disadvantage of PD radars

A

Complicated electronics

Susceptible of Doppler notch

Range measurement difficult with an HPRF radar

45
Q

Discuss radar ground mapping

A

Objective is to make radar maps of sufficiently fine resolution so that topographical features and objects on the ground can be recognized

Based on BW and range to tgt

46
Q

Discuss radar acquisition techniques

A

Circular
Sector
Spiral
Raster

47
Q

Discuss SAR

A

Side looking radar system which utilizes the forward motion of the platform to simulate an extremely large antennae

The beam of the antenna must be wide enough for the area/tgt to fall within the beam for every position of the antenna in the entire length of an array

48
Q

Discuss tracking techniques

A

Monopulse

Conical

49
Q

Angular resolution

A

Based off BW and range to the tgt