How does radar determine height?

Radar Basics Target height (or altitude) is the distance of a target above the Earth’s surface (height above ground). In equations, it is designated by the letter H. The height can be calculated from the target distance R and the elevation angle ε.

How does radar work simple explanation?

Radars send out electromagnetic waves similar to wireless computer networks and mobile phones. The signals are sent out as short pulses which may be reflected by objects in their path, in part reflecting back to the radar. When these pulses intercept precipitation, part of the energy is scattered back to the radar.

What is radar system aimed at?

Radar (radio detection and ranging) is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain.

What is radar height?

The altitude of an aircraft as determined by radar-type radio altimeter; thus, the actual distance from the nearest terrain feature. For all practical purposes, the radar altitude over oceans is equal to the height above mean sea level.

At what height does radar start?

Radar altimeters generally only give readings up to 2,500 feet (760 m) above ground level (AGL). Frequently, the weather radar can be directed downwards to give a reading from a longer range, up to 60,000 feet (18,000 m) above ground level (AGL).

What is maximum range of radar?

Consider radar with pulse repetition frequency 1 000 Hz. The pulse period is its reciprocal value and is 1/ 1 000 = 1 ms. According to formula (2) the maximum unambiguous range of this radar is 150km.

How far can radar detect?

Detection range can be as low as 100 feet or less to over a mile. A radar may track a distant large vehicle instead of a closer small vehicle without any indication to the operator which vehicle the radar is tracking. The angle between the radar or lidar and target must be small for an accurate speed measurement.

How far can radar?

This permits target detection at distances from about 500 to 2,000 nautical miles (900 to 3,700 km). Thus, an HF over-the-horizon (OTH) radar can detect aircraft at distances up to 10 times that of a ground-based microwave air-surveillance radar, whose range is limited by the curvature of the Earth.

What is the elevation angle in radar?

The elevation angle is denoted by the Greek letter ε (epsilon) mostly. It is positive above the horizon but negative below the horizon. Altitude – or height-finding radars use a very narrow fan beam in the vertical plane.

What is the elevation angle in antenna?

Elevation angle is the angle between the horizontal plane and the line of sight, measured in the vertical plane. The reference direction (i.e. an elevation angle of zero degrees) is a horizontal line in the direction to the horizon, starting from the antenna. The elevation angle is denoted by the Greek letter ε (epsilon) mostly.

Why is the target height of a radar target calculated trigonometric?

Because the calculation of the target height is not only a trigonometric calculation but also the Earth’s curvature must be considered, which is valid for the location. Both factors are compensated by complex equations in radar systems with integrated height calculation. A frequently used approximation is:

How does height-finding radar determine bearing?

Height-finding radar systems that also determine bearing must have a narrow beam in the horizontal plane in addition to the one in the vertical plane. The beam is mechanically or electronically scanned in elevation to pinpoint targets.