INTRODUCTION TO RADAR SYSTEMS
Contents
What is the Radar?
Radar Advantages
Review of Common Radar Types
History of the radar
The Principle of the Radar
Typical Radar Waveform
IEEE Standard Radar Frequencies
Radar Block Diagram
Plan Position Indicator (PPI) Display
Antenna Pattern
The Radar Equation
Example :
Solution
Applications of the Radar
High Resolution Radars
New Radar systems

Radar Advantages
Cloud and smoke penetration.
Night vision.
Forest canopy penetration and canopy structure.
Complements visible/infrared sensors (sensitive to terrain features and moisture).
Good for discrimination of terrain structure (roughness) and drainage patterns.

Interpretation requires knowledge of radar interaction with surfaces.
Speckle (dark and bright pixels) limits interpretation.
Satellite systems are not yet multispectral and multi polarization (usually one band/one polarization) on most satellite platforms (limits forest canopy information).
Not good for discrimination and mapping of different vegetation types except at very general levels.
Data analysis can be hindered in steep topography and rough terrain due to extreme layover effects.