5030FTE Avionics Systems

Aircraft Radar Systems

Dr Omar Salih
Learning Objectives
In this lecture we will explore:

■ The main types of radar systems

■ The principles of radar measurement
■ The principles of azimuth and elevation measurement using a
moveable aerial
■ The external factors affecting radar performance
INTRODUCTION TO RADAR

RA D A R

RADIO DETECTION AND RANGING

 Radar Introduction
Basic Radar Concepts
A RADAR transmits radio waves toward an area of interest
and receives (detects) the radio waves reflected from the objects
in that area.

Range to a detected object is determinate by the time, T, it takes the radio

waves to propagate to the object and back

R = c T/2
Object of interest (targets) are detected in
a background of interference.

Interference includes internal and external noise, clutter (objects

not of interest), and electronic countermeasures.
Where Radar is used

■ Aircraft Navigation
■ Target Acquisition (Tornado Nose Radar)
■ Landing aids for aircraft (Precision approach landing)
■ Aircraft control – collision warning
■ Radar Altimeter
■ Identification Friend or Foe
■ Weather prediction
Radar Uses
Functional Categories
 1. Primary Radar Applications:
Weather Radar
Interception Radar
Search Radar
Mapping radars

Reflected Energy Incident or Radiated

Energy

Aerial

Ground Station
 2. Secondary Radar

AirborneTransponder

Ground
Interrogator
Applications
Identification radar
Navigational radar
Radar Types

Primary Secondary
■ Only one radar required ■ Two radars must work
together
■ Does not need co-
operation of target ■ Long ranges obtainable
■ High TX power needed with very modest TX
for moderate range power
■ Echoes received from all ■ There are no echoes and
reflecting objects within hence no clutter
range whether they are
required or not
Radar Classification
based on Operating
Signals
1. Pulse Modulated Primary Radar
High Power Bursts of
RF Bursts RF

Transmitter Aerial
System

Weak Echoes

Video Pulses

Indicator Receiver
2. Continuous Wave (CW) Primary Radar

Transmitted CW FT

Transmitter FT
(FT HZ)

FT + D f Closing
Receiver
(FT + Df HZ)
(approaching)
Target

Df is Doppler frequency
CW Primary Radar

Transmitted CW Wave FT

Transmitter FT
(FT HZ)

Moving away
FT - D f Target
Receiver
(FT - Df HZ)
Radar Examples
 Radar Altimeter

■ More Precise (to cms)

■ Altitude relative to local
terrain
■ Vital information for Pilots
■ Comparison of the frequency
of the reflected energy with
the transmitted energy yields
a frequency difference that is
proportional to the time
taken for the radiated energy
to return, and hence the
radar altitude.
 Doppler Radar
■ Velocity measured directly
w.r.t earth’s surface
■ Relatively inexpensive and
accurate
■ Can provide accurate data
at low speed, useful for
Helicopters
■ Some terrain may not
reflect enough e.g. flying
over water surface which is
smooth,
■ Snowed terrain reflections
unreliable
 Weather Radar
■ Pointed with a beam angle of ~ 30
■ Beam on either side of centerline
■ Can detect reflection from cloud,
precipitates and terrains
■ Precipitation can be an indication of
hazard to the aircraft (vertical wind shear)
■ Can detect turbulence
Calculating Height and Range

Height  R sin 
Ground Range  Rcos

Height (H)

Angle of Elevation ()

Ground Range (G)

External Factors Affecting Performance

1. External noise
2. Reflections from unwanted Objects

3. The characteristics of the target

 Atmospheric disturbances
(Electrical storms)
SOURCES OF
EXTERNAL NOISE

Other transmitters

Nearby electrical
generators
 Good and Bad Reflectors

Good Reflectors Poor Reflectors

Plastics Metals

Metals Type of Material Plastics

Plane Non-flat Surfaces
Shape Non-flat
Plane
Surfaces
Large Small
Large Size Small
Far Near
Near Distance from source Far
Design factors which affect Radar
performance: Frequency of operation

 Objects from ~/4 length can be detected and

increasing frequency allows the detection of smaller
objects (where  is the wavelength).
 High frequencies mean short wavelengths utilizing
small components and smaller diameter of the aerial
dish, hence a narrower beam is produced.
 High frequencies mean more cycles in a given pulse,
giving better pulse shape and more energy in the pulse.
Design factors which affect Radar performance:
Beam shape and scanning method

PPI (Plan Position

Indicator)

Elevation

W E

Azimuth
Beamwidth 0.5

Aircraft at 100 E
S at 190 miles
Aerial
0.5

Smaller beamwidth detects further objects

 Angular Measurement
Aircraft Axis

20º Angle of Elevation

ELEVATION

Aircraft Axis

20º Azimuth Angle

AZIMUTH
Radar performance design factors: Pulse
Repetition Frequency (PRF)
PRF selection affects:
■ Max range
■ Scanning speed
■ Mean Power Available
■ Improved Definition
PRF and maximum range
PRT 𝑐
Max unambiguous range = 𝑐 × =
2 2PRF
Where:
c is a speed of light.

PRT is a pulse
repetition time.

PRF is a pulse
repetition frequency.
 PRF and scanning speed
PRF has to be sufficiently higher than scanning speed.

High Scanning Speed High PRF  Short Range  Good target definition
Low Scanning Speed  Low PRF  Long Range  lower target definition
 PRF and power

Pulse Spacing = 1
PRF
Peak
Power
Mean Power

Pulse
Duration Time

Mean Power = Peak Power x Pulse Width x PRF

Peak Power (PP) = Mean Power

PRF x PW
Pulse Width (PW) = Mean Power
PP x PRF

PRF = Mean Power

PP x PW
Radar Duplexer

Transmitter Target

Aerial
Switch
(duplexer)

Receiver

Range = 1 nautical
mile
Design factors: Selecting the Pulse Width (PW)
■ Minimum Effective Range
Min Range = c (PW + Recovery time)/2
(If a recovery time is not given, it can be considered zero)
■ Target Resolution or Discrimination
Theoretical range resolution = c PW/2
(Assumes perfectly designed radar, perfect receiver, perfect
indicator/display)

Min Range
PRF and min range Example
■ Effective Minimum Range

10s

1000m 500m
PRF and min range Example (Cont.)
■ Effective Minimum Range

1s 500m