Speed radar gun

Radar: A radar speed gun (also radar gun and speed gun) is a device used to measure the
speed of moving objects. It is used in law-enforcement to measure the speed of moving vehicles and
is often used in professional spectator sport, for things such as the measurement of bowling speeds
in cricket, speed of pitched baseball, athletes and tennis serves.
A radar speed gun is a Doppler radar unit that may be hand-held, vehicle-mounted or static. It
measures the speed of the objects at which it is pointed by detecting a change in frequency of the
returned radar signal caused by the Doppler effect, whereby the frequency of the returned signal is
increased in proportion to the object's speed of approach if the object is approaching, and lowered if
the object is receding. Such devices are frequently used for speed limit enforcement, although more
modern LIDAR speed gun instruments, which use pulsed laser light instead of radar, began to
replace radar guns during the first decade of the twenty-first century, because of limitations
associated with small radar systems.

Doppler effect[edit]
Speed guns use Doppler radar to perform speed measurements.
Radar speed guns, like other types of radar, consist of a radio transmitter and receiver. They send
out a radio signal in a narrow beam, then receive the same signal back after it bounces off the target
object. Due to a phenomenon called the Doppler effect, if the object is moving toward or away from
the gun, the frequency of the reflected radio waves when they come back is different from the
transmitted waves. When the object is approaching the radar, the frequency of the return waves is
higher than the transmitted waves; when the object is moving away, the frequency is lower. From
that difference, the radar speed gun can calculate the speed of the object from which the waves
have been bounced. This speed is given by the following equation:

where c is the speed of light, f is the emitted frequency of the radio waves and Δf is the
difference in frequency between the radio waves that are emitted and those received back by
the gun. This equation holds precisely only when object speeds are low compared to that of
light, but in everyday situations, this is the case and the velocity of an object is directly
proportional to this difference in frequency.

Stationary radar[edit]
After the returning waves are received, a signal with a frequency equal to this difference is
created by mixing the received radio signal with a little of the transmitted signal. Just as two
different musical notes played together create a beat note at the difference in frequency
between them, so when these two radio signals are mixed they create a "beat" signal (called
a heterodyne). An electrical circuit then measures this frequency using a digital counter to count
the number of cycles in a fixed time period, and displays the number on a digital display as the
object's speed.
Since this type of speed gun measures the difference in speed between a target and the gun
itself, the gun must be stationary in order to give a correct reading. If a measurement is made
from a moving car, it will give the difference in speed between the two vehicles, not the speed of
the target relative to the road, so a different system has been designed to work from moving
vehicles.

Moving radar[edit]
 In so-called "moving radar", the radar antenna receives reflected signals from both the target
vehicle and stationary background objects such as the road surface, nearby road signs, guard
rails and streetlight poles. Instead of comparing the frequency of the signal reflected from the
target with the transmitted signal, it compares the target signal with this background signal. The
frequency difference between these two signals gives the true speed of the target vehicle.

Design considerations[edit]
Modern radar speed guns normally operate at X, K, Ka, and (in Europe) Ku bands.
Radar guns that operate using the X band (8 to 12 GHz) frequency range are becoming less
common because they produce a strong and easily detectable beam. Also, most automatic
doors utilize radio waves in the X band range and can possibly affect the readings of police
radar. As a result, K band (18 to 27 GHz) and Ka band (27 to 40 GHz) are most commonly used
by police agencies.
Some motorists install radar detectors which can alert them to the presence of a speed
trap ahead, and the microwave signals from radar may also change the quality of reception of
AM and FM radio signals when tuned to a weak station. For these reasons, hand-held radar
typically includes an on-off trigger and the radar is only turned on when the operator is about to
make a measurement. Radar detectors are illegal in some areas
Traffic radar comes in many models. Hand-held units are mostly battery powered, and for the most
part are used as stationary speed enforcement tools. Stationary radar can be mounted in police
vehicles and may have one or two antennae. Moving radar is employed, as the name implies, when
a police vehicle is in motion and can be very sophisticated, able to track vehicles approaching and
receding, both in front of and behind the patrol vehicle and also able to track multiple targets at once.
It can also track the fastest vehicle in the selected radar beam, front or rear.
However, there are a number of limitations to the use of radar speed guns. For example, user
training and certification are required so that a radar operator can use the equipment effectively, with
trainees being required to consistently visually estimate vehicle speed within +/-2 mph of actual
target speed, for example if the target's actual speed is 30 mph than the operator must be able to
consistently visually estimate the target speed as falling between 28 and 32 mph.[6] Stationary traffic
enforcement radar must occupy a location above or to the side of the road, so the user must
understand trigonometry to accurately estimate vehicle speed as the direction changes while a
single vehicle moves within the field of view. Actual vehicle speed and radar measurement thus are
rarely the same, however, for all practical purposes this difference in actual speed and measured
speed is inconsequential, generally being less than 1 mph difference, as police are trained to
position the radar to minimize this inaccuracy and when present the error is always in the favor of
the driver reporting a lower than actual speed. Radar speed guns do not differentiate between
targets in traffic, and proper operator training is essential for accurate speed enforcement. This
inability to differentiate among targets in the radar's field of view is the primary reason for the
operator being required to consistently and accurately visually estimate target speeds to within +/-
2 mph, so that, for example if there are seven targets in the radar's field of view and the operator is
able to visually estimate the speed of six of those targets as approximately 40 mph and visually
estimate the speed of one of those targets as approximately 55 mph and the radar unit is displaying
a reading of 56 mph it becomes clear which target's speed the unit is measuring.

Size[edit]
The primary limitation of hand held and mobile radar devices is size. An antenna diameter of less
than several feet limits directionality, which can only partly be compensated for by increasing the
frequency of the wave. Size limitations can cause hand-held and mobile radar devices to produce
measurements from multiple objects within the field of view of the user.
The antenna on some of the most common hand-held devices is only 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter.
The beam of energy produced by an antenna of this size using X-band frequencies occupies a cone
that extends about 22 degrees surrounding the line of sight, 44 degrees in total width. This beam is
called the main lobe. There is also a side lobe extending from 22 to 66 degrees away from the line of
sight, and other lobes as well, but side lobes are about 20 times (13 dB) less sensitive than the main
lobe, although they will detect moving objects close by. The primary field of view is about 130
degrees wide. K-band reduces this field of view to about 65 degrees by increasing the frequency of
the wave. Ka-band reduces this further to about 40 degrees. Side lobe detections can be eliminated
using side lobe blanking which narrows the field of view, but the additional antennas and complex
circuitry impose size and price constraints that limit this to applications for the military, air traffic
control, and weather agencies. Mobile weather radar is mounted on semi-trailer trucks in order to
narrow the beam.

Distance[edit]
A second limitation for hand-held devices is that they have to use continuous-wave radar to make
them light enough to be mobile. Speed measurements are only reliable when the distance at which a
specific measurement has been recorded is known. Distance measurements require pulsed
operation or cameras when more than one moving object is within the field of view. Continuous-
wave radar may be aimed directly at a vehicle 100 yards away but produce a speed measurement
from a second vehicle 1 mile away when pointed down a straight roadway. Once again falling back
on the training and certification requirement for consistent and accurate visual estimation so that
operators can be certain which object's speed the device has measured without distance
information, which is unavailable with continuous wave radar.
Some sophisticated devices may produce different speed measurements from multiple objects within
the field of view. This is used to allow the speed-gun to be used from a moving vehicle, where a
moving and a stationary object must be targeted simultaneously, and some of the most sophisticated
units are capable of displaying up to four separate target speeds while operating in moving mode
once again emphasizing the importance of the operators' ability to consistently and accurately
visually estimate speed.

Environment[edit]
The environment and locality in which a measurement is taken can also play a role. Using a hand-
held radar to scan traffic on an empty road while standing in the shade of a large tree, for example,
might risk detecting the motion of the leaves and branches if the wind is blowing hard (side lobe
detection). There may be an unnoticed airplane overhead, particularly if there is an airport nearby.
Again emphasize the importance of proper operator training.

Associated cameras[edit]
Conventional radar gun limitations can be corrected with a camera aimed along the line of sight.
Cameras are associated with automated ticketing machines (known in the UK as speed cameras)
where the radar is used to trigger a camera. The radar speed threshold is set at or above the
maximum legal vehicle speed. The radar triggers the camera to take several pictures when a nearby
object exceeds this speed. Two pictures are required to determine vehicle speed using roadway
survey markings. This can be reliable for traffic in city environments when multiple moving objects
are within the field of view. It is the camera, however, and its timing information, in this case, that
determines the speed of an individual vehicle, the radar gun simply alerting the camera to start
recording.
Newer instruments[edit]
Laser devices, such as a LIDAR speed gun, are capable of producing reliable range and speed
measurements in typical urban and suburban traffic environments without the site survey limitation
and cameras. This is reliable in city traffic because LIDAR has directionality similar to a typical
firearm because the beam is shaped more like a pencil that produces measurement only from the
object it has been aimed at.
https://youtu.be/XlnYO_G_IxA
Traffic Enforcement: What Types of Speed Guns
Are Used?
Driving above the speed limit is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road. The
staggering statistics of road accidents caused by speeding vehicles, unfortunately, is not
enough to push drivers to follow speed limits.
Without the right devices, it is also hard for a traffic enforcement officer to prove a driver is
speeding, which, in turn, could lead to a driver getting away with over-speeding. This grim
picture does not have to be the case in your state.
With a police radar gun, you can collect enough evidence to charge over-speeding drivers.
This device transmits radio waves to a moving vehicle, which are then reflected and
calculated on a transmitter to give a speed reading. There are different types of radar gun
available, including the following.
Dash-Mount Radar Guns

The most popular choice, dash-mount speed guns comprise several elements including one
or two antennas, a hand-held remote and a counting unit. The counting unit has an attached
display for the reading of the collected speeds. Dash-mount speed guns with two antennas
can pick the speed of several vehicles at the same time unlike those with only one antenna.

These radar guns are commonly installed in police cruisers though there are also those for
motorcycles, which are also waterproof. Dash-mount speed guns are simple to use since
they only require the pressing of a remote to record the speed of the vehicles passing the
cruiser or motorcycle.

Hand-Held Radar Guns

These are mobile and designed to be aimed in the direction of an approaching vehicle to
record its speed. They are the most commonly used on motorcycles since an officer need
not turn the bike in the direction of a car to record its speed like with the dash-mount speed
gun. A few hand-held radar guns also feature removable handles, which allow them to be
mounted on a dashboard.

Photo Radar System

This system operates hand in hand with a camera. They are mounted along major highways
and continually take speed readings of the vehicles that pass by. When a speed above the
limit is detected, the camera is automatically triggered and takes a photo of the car’s license
plate. A speeding ticket will then be mailed to the vehicle’s owner.

Pole-Mounted Guns

These are camouflaged beside busy roads and continually record the speeds of vehicles.
The reading is then displayed on a receiver held by a law enforcement officer nearby. In
most cases, there is another officer positioned further down who will arrest the speeding
vehicle based on the reading from the first officer.

Radar speed guns have had a bad rap recently owing to the jamming and detection devices
found everywhere, which affect their accuracy. As such, most jurisdictions assume they are
inefficient and an unnecessary expense. Radar speed gun manufacturers, however, have
come up with various control measures, which will reduce the chances of detection and
jamming of the radar guns’ transmissions. The above radar gun types are effective and
accurate for reigning in over-speeding drivers on the road.

Police Doppler Radar

Police microwave radars all use the Doppler Principle to measure speed. The radar
transmits a continuous microwave signal and simultaneously measures the echo that is
frequency shifted proportional to speed, the Doppler Shift. The frequency shift is
measured in cycles per second and has unit dimensions of Hertz (Hz).

The horn from a moving train is a good example of the Doppler effect. As the train
approaches a stationary listener the frequency pitch of the whistle sounds higher than
when the train is even with the listener. As the train recedes from the listener the pitch
decreases. Car horns exhibit the same phenomenon, as does all sound.

In the above example if a car horn is stationary and a listener is on the train the Doppler
principle still applies. As the listener on the train approaches the stationary horn the
pitch of the horn sounds higher, as the train recedes from the stationary horn the pitch
sounds lower to anyone on the train.

Stationary Radar
Microwave signals travel at the speed of light but still obey the Doppler Principle.
Microwave radars receive a Doppler frequency shifted reflection from a moving object.
Frequency is shifted higher for approaching objects, and lower for receding objects. The
frequency shift is proportional to speed.

Echo Frequency Shift

Approaching Traffic Receding Traffic
ft = fo + fd ft = fo - fd

ft = Traffic Echo (return) Frequency

fo = Transmit Frequency
fd = Radar Doppler Shift
 Radar Signal

Radar Doppler shift (fd) is a function of transmit frequency (fo), speed of wave (c =
speed of light), and target vehicle speed (v). Speed is positive (+v) for approaching
traffic and negative (-v) for receding traffic.

Radar Doppler Shift Equation

fd = Radar Doppler Shift v = vehicle speed

fo = Transmit Frequency c = Speed of Light

A moving vehicle with a radar detector will receive a radar signal Doppler shifted
proportional to speed. The radar will receive a reflection shifted again, proportional to
speed. The echo the radar receives has twice the Doppler shift the target vehicle radar
detector receives.

Stationary Radar Doppler Shift

Measured Speed
v = fd c / (2 fo)
 v = Traffic Speed (-v for receding traffic)
fd = Radar Doppler Shift (-fd for receding traffic)
fo = Transmit Frequency
c = Speed of Light

Example of speed radar gun

What is the essence of speed radar gun technology? We should

review the information on the type of speed gun and the principle
of operation of radar guns (stands for Radio Detection And
Ranging) and laser:

Police began using radar (speed gun) called X-Band with

frequency of 10.525GHz until the mid 70’s of last century. This
type of X-Band is easily detected, so they switched to use a K-Band
in 1976 with the scope of operation in frequencies from 24.5–
24.25GHz (precision is about 24.150GHz). Ka-Band then is
between 33.4 and 36.0GHz which the operation is put into use in
1989. The weapon laser then is also put
S