There are many different types of military technology that civilians may not be familiar with. Some devices only have military applications while others, such as radar (radio detection and ranging), have found their way into different areas of our lives. Radar systems have changed quite a bit and become much more accurate since they were first developed. This is partially due to the introduction of the monopulse comparator into modern systems. Here is a look at radar in general as well as how these devices have improved technology so much.
Although radar systems were initially used by the military to detect approaching aircraft and other potentially hostile objects these systems are being used in many other ways these days. Motorists are likely familiar with the guns used by police in order to detect speeding vehicles. The signal can bounce off of a vehicle and travel back to the gun in order to give the officer an idea of how quickly a particular car is traveling.
Weather forecasting also uses this type of system. It can track storm fronts, give information on where a storm is or how severe it is, and allows meteorologists to let us know important weather data. It can be used for tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and thunderstorms as well. Many weather broadcasts will display the results of Doppler radar as part of the broadcast so viewers can see the data for themselves.
While many people think that these systems can just be used on land, this is not true. Marine radar will bounce signals off of nearby objects. This shows a ship where it is (by detecting the shoreline or marine buoys) or whether there are other ships in the same area.
All systems are made up of the same basic components. Frequencies are generated by a transmitter. There are several different types of these, some of which are more suitable for specific uses than others. The frequency is sent to an antenna by a waveguide. Then, the antenna sends out the signal. A duplexer switches the antenna over into receiving mode so the returning radio waves can be interpreted. This is done using a receiver and the operator will see the results on a display processor.
In the beginning, the way the signal was generated and processed meant that radar systems were not as reliable or accurate as they are today. They could be jammed easily. This involves directing the same radio frequency at the system in order to give an inaccurate picture of what is going on in the area. With the invention of the monopulse system, this was corrected and new systems are much more accurate.
A comparator allows for a radar beam to split into multiple segments. Originally the beam was split into two sections although now there are comparators which allow for a beam to be split into four sections instead. When the beams are compared, the slight differences in position between each of the beams allows the radar system to more precisely locate where a particular object it is or how fast it is moving.
There are several different types of these devices. The type that you choose will depend on exactly which kind of radar system you have set up. You can find comparators online although generally only on specialty websites that offer other radar equipment as well.
Although radar systems were initially used by the military to detect approaching aircraft and other potentially hostile objects these systems are being used in many other ways these days. Motorists are likely familiar with the guns used by police in order to detect speeding vehicles. The signal can bounce off of a vehicle and travel back to the gun in order to give the officer an idea of how quickly a particular car is traveling.
Weather forecasting also uses this type of system. It can track storm fronts, give information on where a storm is or how severe it is, and allows meteorologists to let us know important weather data. It can be used for tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and thunderstorms as well. Many weather broadcasts will display the results of Doppler radar as part of the broadcast so viewers can see the data for themselves.
While many people think that these systems can just be used on land, this is not true. Marine radar will bounce signals off of nearby objects. This shows a ship where it is (by detecting the shoreline or marine buoys) or whether there are other ships in the same area.
All systems are made up of the same basic components. Frequencies are generated by a transmitter. There are several different types of these, some of which are more suitable for specific uses than others. The frequency is sent to an antenna by a waveguide. Then, the antenna sends out the signal. A duplexer switches the antenna over into receiving mode so the returning radio waves can be interpreted. This is done using a receiver and the operator will see the results on a display processor.
In the beginning, the way the signal was generated and processed meant that radar systems were not as reliable or accurate as they are today. They could be jammed easily. This involves directing the same radio frequency at the system in order to give an inaccurate picture of what is going on in the area. With the invention of the monopulse system, this was corrected and new systems are much more accurate.
A comparator allows for a radar beam to split into multiple segments. Originally the beam was split into two sections although now there are comparators which allow for a beam to be split into four sections instead. When the beams are compared, the slight differences in position between each of the beams allows the radar system to more precisely locate where a particular object it is or how fast it is moving.
There are several different types of these devices. The type that you choose will depend on exactly which kind of radar system you have set up. You can find comparators online although generally only on specialty websites that offer other radar equipment as well.
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