How radar works
Radar uses radio waves instead of sound waves; Because of its ability to reach greater distances, and its ability to perform its work even when it is weak, and to understand how radar works, an aircraft radar can be used as an example, where the radar turns on the device that emits high-frequency radio waves for a period of microseconds, then turns off the device that emits the waves. The receiving device for the returning echo is operated, and it measures the time it takes for the echo to arrive. For example, if the speed of the radio waves is about 1000 feet/microsecond ≈ 304.8 m/microsecond, then the distance towards the aircraft can be measured with great accuracy, and if there is special equipment to adjust signals, their speed can also be determined accurately.
As for ground radar devices, they are affected by several factors compared to aerial radar devices. When radar signals are released, it may receive echoes from many objects, such as buildings or even from mountains. To avoid this, police radar devices are usually of the Doppler type, where the radar beams are Focused narrowly to hit only one car, laser technology may be used to measure the speed of cars currently, and it is called lidar technology, as it relies on the use of light instead of radio waves.
Introduction to radar
Radar is an electromagnetic sensor used to track, locate, and identify various objects from long distances. Radar may be able to determine the size and shape of these objects as well. Its working principle depends on transmitting electromagnetic energy toward specific targets and monitoring the echoes returning from them. These targets may be aircraft. Or ships, spacecraft, cars, or even birds. Radar devices are distinguished from optical sensors and infrared devices in their ability to detect distant objects accurately, even in the presence of difficult weather conditions.
Read also:What is the importance of the pointed head of the lightning rod?Doppler radar is a radar specialized in determining the speed of objects, and its working principle is based on the knowledge that the waves produced by the object will collect when the individual or device approaches it, and will spread when it moves away from it, like the radar used to monitor the speed of cars.
Types of radar devices
There are several types of radar devices that differ depending on their use, including the following:
- Marine radar devices are used to determine the direction of ships and the distance between them to avoid collisions, and determine their locations at sea based on fixed references such as islands.
- Aerial radar devices: Airplanes are equipped with radar devices, in order to avoid obstructing their path, and to accurately determine atmospheric altitude readings.
- Radar devices in missile guidance systems, used on military aircraft to determine missile destinations.
- Radar devices in biological research, such as those used to track the migration patterns of animals and birds.
- Weather radar devices are used to increase the accuracy of weather forecasting.
