Radar Theory Flashcards
What radar band does Eagle 3 use
Ka band
What is Doppler effect (definition)
“The apparent difference between the frequency at which sound or light waves leave a source and that at which they reach the observer.”
Eagle 3 frequency and wavelength
Eagle 3 radar transmits a continuous transverse wave of electromagnetic energy down the roadway at a frequency of 34.9GHz (34900 million Hertz) at the speed of light.
Wavelength is 8.59mm
Describe Doppler shift
The Doppler shift is the actual frequency change which takes place as a result of movement between antenna and target. The dipole shift could be called the “difference” frequency because it is the difference between transmitted and received frequencies l.
Doppler shift formula
Fd = 2VFt
C
Fd = Doppler shift frequency (in hertz)
V = speed of target (in m/s)
Ft = transmitted frequency
C = Speed of light (in m/s)
Speed of light
300,000,000 m/s
Frequency change per km per hour
64.6 Hz
Doppler tone
The Doppler tone emitted by the radar is the Doppler Shift Frequency (Fd) divided down for listening comfort.
In stationary mode divided by 6
In moving mode divided by 12
Minimum distance of separation between vehicles of similar size
200m
Minimum speed threshold of Eagle 3
Minimum speed threshold is 16km/h however device may display speeds as low as 9km/h
Audio tone during check
Audio tone must be clear and unbroken. Evidence of changing pitch must be accompanied by evidence of altering speed.
Reflection
Reflection is an abrupt change in a direction of propagation of a wave which strikes the boundary between mediums.
Radar relies on energy being reflected from the target (echo) to operate therefore the radar beam should ideally strike the target perpendicular to its surface.
Refraction
When a ray of light meets the surface of separation between two transparent media, it is sharply bent or refracted. The ray is bent towards the normal as it enters a denser medium and away from the normal as it enters a less dense medium.
Think water refraction
Diffraction
When electromagnetic waves are restricted by edge of obstacle, some energy spreads into region not directly in line with source. Bending of EM waves is called diffraction.
Think wave bending over crest of hill or shadow behind a vehicle
Inverse square law
The amount of energy returned to the radar antenna from a target will be determined by two main factors:
1. The reflective area of the target
2. Distance between radar antenna and target
Absorption
Radar energy can be absorbed by some compounds including: fibre or rubber/plastic based sponge.
Most common for police radar is water and material with a high water content eg grass, leaves, shrubs resulting in loss of range.
Effects of interference
Interference does not add to or subtract from any target speed reading. Interference has two main effects.
1. Display of a speed in the absence of a target
2. No displayed speed when a target is present
Two fundamental categories of interference
Natural
Man-made
Types of natural interference
Natural interference: large trees, bushes, signs moved by wind rain, snow will diffuse radar energy or mask low level signals resulting in decreasing effective range
Heavy rain: heavy rain falling non perpendicular to roadway can add to or subtract from patrol speed.
Random movement