RADAR SYSTEMS

Engr. Mansoor A. Soomro

Lecturer (EL- MUET)
 Outline
• Definition
• Principle of operation
• Simplified radar block diagram
• Applications of Radar systems
• Types of Radar systems
a. Pulse Radar system
b. Continuous radar system

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10

 Definition
• Radar is an acronym which means Radio
Detection and Ranging
• Radar is an object detection system that
uses electromagnetic waves to identify the
range, altitude, direction, elevation or
speed of both moving and fixed objects
such as aircraft, ships, motor vehicles,
weather information etc

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10

 Principle of Operation
• Radar consists of both transmitter and receiver, each
connected to duplexer and parabolic antenna.

• The transmitter is capable of sending out a very large

UHF or micro wave power through the antenna. The
receiver collects as much energy as possible from echoes
reflected in its direction by the target and then processes
and displays this information in suitable way. The
receiving antenna is some how same as transmitting
antenna.

• The radar system is accomplished with time division

multiplexing arrangement. Since the radio energy is sent
in form of pulses.
Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10
Simplified radar block diagram

Transmitter

Duplexer Antenna Target

Receiver
Display

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10

 Applications of Radar systems
• In aviation, aircrafts are equipped with radar devices that
warn of obstacles in or approaching their path and give
accurate altitude readings.
• Marine Radars are used to measure the bearing and
distance of ships to prevent collision with other ships, to
navigate and to fix their position at sea when within
range of shore or other fixed references such as islands,
buoys, and lightships.
• Police forces use radar guns to monitor vehicle speeds
on the roads.
• Air Traffic control
• Meteorologists used radar for weather forecasting
Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10
Radar Gun
 Types of Radar system
Pulse / Mono static Radar system
• Used to detect stationary or fixed objects located
at different locations
• Uses single antenna for signal propagation.

Continuous wave/ Bistatic Radar system

• Used to detect moving objects
• Uses two antennas separate for transmission
and reception
• Works on Doppler effect

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10

 Pulse Radar Block Diagram

Transmitter
Synchronizer

RF ATR

Duplexer Antenna
Power
(Switching Unit)
Supply
Echo TR

Receiver
Display Video

Antenna Bearing or Elevation

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10
 Pulse Radar Description
1. Synchronizer: Determines when a pulse should be generated.
2. Modulator: Shapes the pulse to be transmitted.
3. Transmitter: Amplifies the waveform and feeds the antenna /
antenna waveguide system via the duplexer.
4. Duplexer: Allows for both transmitted and received waves to
processed by a single antenna.
5. Antenna: Directs energy towards the target and collects the
returned energy.
6. Receiver: Amplifies the returned signal, demodulates it, and
filters out noise.
7. Video / Receiver Processor: The transmitted and received
signals are coordinated in the processor by the synchronizer,
thus allowing for range information to be extracted and
displayed.
Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10
 Continuous Wave Radar
Block Diagram
Transmitter Antenna
CW RF
Oscillator OUT

Discriminator AMP Mixer IN

Antenna

Indicator
 Components description
1.Transmit/Receive Antennas. Since must operate simultaneously, must be located separately so
receiving antenna doesn’t pick up transmitted signal.
2. Oscillator or Power Amplifier. Sends out signal to transmit antenna. Also sends sample
signal to Mixer. (used as a reference)
3. Mixer
• A weak sample of the transmitted RF energy is combined with the received echo signal.
• The two signal will differ because of the Doppler shift.
• The output of the mixer is a function of the difference in frequencies.
4. Amplifier. Increases strength of signal before sending it to the indicator.
5. Discriminator.
a. Selects desired frequency bands for Doppler shifts, eliminates
impossible signals.
b. The unit will only allow certain frequency bands so won’t process stray
signals.
6. Indicator. Displays data. Displays velocity or the component directly inbound or directly
outbound. Range is not measured.
7. Filters. Used to reduce noise, used in amp to reduce sea return, land clutter, and other non-
desirable targets.

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10

Questions?

Engr. Mansoor Soomro / CS/10