IPRC KIGALI November 3rd ,2020

YEAR 3 ETT

RADAR AND NAVIGATIONAL AIDS CAT

1. Why can't a CW radar measure range? What is the main advantage of a CW radar?

Ans. Range is measured by noting the round trip time for a pulse of radar energy.
Since a CW radar transmits continuously, there is no means of measuring the
round trip time and therefore no direct means of measuring range. The principle
advantage of a CW radar is its inherent ability to recognize moving targets. It is
safe to say that any target which represents some threat will also be in motion.

2. Draw the block diagram of a Pulsed radar and explain its operation

Ans.
3. If the receiver has a receiver sensitivity of -83 dBm, what is the value of the
minimum discernible signal (Smin)? 

Ans.
Smin = log-110[1/10(-83)]=5.012 x 10-9 mW = 5.012x10-12 W

4. a. Explain about Doppler Effect
b. derive the expression for the velocity of the target when the target is moving
away from the radar in the case FM-CW radar
ANs. A.

5. A pulsed radar operating at 10GHz has an antenna with a gain of 28dB and a

transmitter power of 2KW . If it is defined to detect a target with a cross section
of 12sq.m and the minimum detectable signal is Pmin= -90dBm. What is the
maximum range of the radar?

Ans.

6. What are the advantages of OMEGA system?

7. Distinguish search radar from tracking radar

8. List 4 methods of navigation

9. Write the four methods for reducing the effects of blind speeds.

10. Define:
a. clutter b. range ambiguity
c. Navigation d. Duplexer

11. Why can a better angle measurement be achieved with a narrow beam than a wide
beam? Which would be more suitable for searching for targets? Why?

Ans. Since signal strength changes are more pronounced as the target moves toward
the edge of the beam, the closer to the edge of the target is while being tracked the
easier it is to detect a change in angle. Those large changes of signal strength occur
closer to the axis in a narrow beam than in a wide beam resulting in better tracking
accuracy. Wide beam, Because a narrow beam would cover too small an area in
space to be useful in initially locating potential threats. A narrow beam is much
better suited for target tracking and fire control solutions where accuracy is
the main consideration. Search radars do not require any particular degree of
resolution since their main function is to determine target presence only. Once this
is accomplished, a narrow beam would be used for tracking.

12. Explain the function of a parasitic reflector.

Ans. The parasitic reflector is employed in some radar antenna systems as a means of
concentrating the radiated energy in a desired direction. Without a device to
serve this purpose, an array type radar antenna would broadcast two equal main
beams in opposite directions. When a conducting element is placed in an electric
field, a voltage will be induced in the element. When this field varies, as around a
radiating dipole, the variation in the induced voltage in the conductor (driven
element) will cause it to radiate as well, but with a phase shift. Proper positioning
of the driven element in the vicinity of the array will therefore set up interference
which will tend to cancel the field in one direction and rein- force it in
another, thereby allowing for a single, stronger main beam.

13. What is the maximum unambiguous range for a radar with a PRF of 600 Hz?
What PRF is required for maximum unambiguous range of 350 km?

Ans.
R. R = 1/2(3.0 x 108m/sec)(600 s-1)-1 = 250 km
PRF = [(2)(350x103cm)/(3.0x108m/sec)]-1 = 428.6 Hz

14. What is the main feature which differentiates pulsed Doppler or MTI radars from
pulse-echo radars?

Ans.
The pulse-echo radar is capable only of measuring the elapsed travel time of
individual pulses, however, where the Pulse-Doppler/MTI radars are capable of
measuring a shift in the frequency of the RF energy in the return pulse and are
therefore sensitive to target velocity.

15. The following table lists the characteristics of the components of a pulse-echo
type surface search radar. Using the concepts presented in this chapter, complete
this table.
frequency, f 5600 MHz
wave length,  5.35Cm
pulse width, PW 1.3 sec
pulse repetition frequency, PRF 638.5Hz
pulse repetition time, PRT 1.57x10^3Sec
peak power 279KW
average power 231.6KW
duty cycle 8.3 x 10-4
Antenna rotation rate,  16 RPM
Horizontal beamwidth, B 1.49°
vertical beam width, B 4o
effective aperture, Ae 0.9 m2
power gain, G 3940
directive gain, GD 6929
number of returns per sweep, NB 9.9
minimum discernible signal, MDS -83dBm
receiver sensitivity , Smin 5.012x10^-12W
maximum unambiguous range, Runamb 235.5km
maximum theoretical range, Rmax 50 km
minimum range, Rmin 195m
range resolution, Rres 195m
radar cross-section,  5 m2

Good luck!