RADAR ENGINEERING

AIR SURVEILLANCE
RADAR

BT20ECE092 Shatabdi Sankhari

BT20ECE095 Rutu Shrirame
BT20ECE097 Somuri Rohitha
BT20ECE099 Sudha Jithendra Reddy
Purpose and
Functionality
Purpose

Air surveillance radar is a technology used to detect, track,

and monitor aircraft and other flying objects in the airspace.
Radar systems emit radio waves that bounce off aircraft and
return information about their position, speed, and altitude,
enabling authorities to maintain safe and efficient aviation
operations.

Air surveillance radar is used to detect and track aircraft,

ensure safe air traffic control, identify planes, monitor
military activity, assist in search and rescue, and provide
weather information. It helps with airspace security, collision
avoidance, and managing air traffic flow.
A special form of the air surveillance radar is the airport surveillance radar(ASR). An
ASR is used at airports by air traffic controllers to register all flight movements -both
in airspace and on the ground on the runways.
As the received echoes result from reflections of the primary signal with an aircraft,
an ASR is a primary radar system.

.
Functionality

1. Air surveillance radar emits radio waves and detects echoes when those
waves bounce off aircraft or objects in the airspace.

2. The radar system processes these echoes to determine the distance,

direction, and speed of detected objects.

3. Radar data is displayed in real-time, providing information on the

location, altitude, and speed of aircraft.

4. Radar systems can track multiple aircraft simultaneously, aiding air traffic
control and military operations.
 .
1. In addition to identifying aircraft, radar systems can issue alerts and
warnings for safety and security purposes and may include weather
monitoring capabilities.

2. The primary function of air surveillance radar is to provide real-time

situational awareness of aircraft in the monitored airspace, aiding in air
traffic control, military defense, airspace security, and various other
aviation and security applications.
3.
Components of
Air
Surveillance
Radar
Radar Components
Basic Components of Radar System
Radar Components

Radar Transmitter: A Radar transmitter is a component of a radar

system responsible for generating and emitting radio frequency(RF)
signals, known as radar pulses.

Antenna: Sends out the radio waves and receives the reflected signals.

Radar Receiver: The function of radar receiver is to take the weak

echoes from the antenna system, amplify them sufficiently, detect the
pulse envelope, amplify the pulses, and feed them to the indicator.
Radar Components

Radar Signal Processor: The function of signal processor is that part

of the system which separates targets from clutter on the basis of
Doppler content and amplitude characteristics. Analyses the signals,
filters out noise and extracts useful information.

Radar Display System: A Radar display system is a crucial component

of a radar system used in various applications including aviation,
maritime navigation, weather monitoring and military operations. It is
responsible for visually representing the information gathered by radar
sensors.
Types of Air
Surveillance
Radar
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR):
Primary Surveillance Radar operates by sending out radio waves and listening for
the echoes reflected off aircraft in the vicinity. PSRs can detect the position
(azimuth and range) and velocity of aircraft but do not provide information about
the identity or altitude of the target.
Principle of Operation :
● Transmission: PSR transmits radio waves into the airspace.
● Reflection: When these waves encounter an object like an aircraft, they
reflect back towards the radar antenna.
● Detection: By measuring the time it takes for the reflected signals to return,
the radar system calculates the distance (range) to the object.
● Direction: By rotating the radar antenna, the system can determine the
azimuth (horizontal angle) of the detected object.
Advantages :

● Basic Detection: PSR detects aircraft and objects in airspace,

providing position (azimuth, range) and velocity info.
● Independence: PSR detects objects in airspace independently of
aircraft transponders, detecting any object within its range,
transponder-equipped or not.
● Wide Coverage: PSR covers vast areas, ideal for early warning and
military airspace monitoring.
● Cost-Effectiveness: PSR is simpler and cheaper than SSR, making it
cost-effective for basic air surveillance.
● Redundancy: In integrated radar systems, PSR offers redundancy. If
SSR fails, PSR ensures continuous aircraft detection and tracking.
Limitations :
● Limited Information: PSR offers limited details, lacks aircraft
identification and altitude info critical for air traffic control and some
military uses.
● Vulnerability to Clutter: PSR signals can be disrupted by weather and
terrain, causing clutter and making it hard to differentiate genuine
aircraft echoes from unwanted signals.
● No Altitude Data: PSR lacks altitude data, crucial for safe vertical
separation of aircraft, especially in busy airspace.
● Lack of Identification: PSR can't identify specific aircraft; it requires
SSR for positive identification, crucial in civil aviation.
● Susceptibility to Jamming: PSR is vulnerable to electronic jamming,
disrupting radar signals and accuracy in detecting and tracking
aircraft.
● Limited in Crowded Airspace: PSR may struggle with heavy air traffic,
causing congestion and reduced effectiveness in busy airspace.
Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR):
SSR works in conjunction with PSR. SSR systems send interrogation signals to
aircraft equipped with transponders. When an aircraft receives this signal, its
transponder sends back a unique code (Mode A) and additional information
including altitude (Mode C) or identity and altitude (Mode S). SSR provides more
detailed information about aircraft, especially in dense air traffic areas.
Principle of Operation :
● Interrogation: SSR transmits interrogation signals to aircraft equipped with
transponders.
● Transponder Response: Aircraft transponders respond to SSR
interrogations by transmitting a unique code (Mode A) and additional
information, such as altitude (Mode C) or identity and altitude (Mode S).
● Data Reception: The SSR system receives and decodes these responses to
determine the aircraft's identity, altitude, and other relevant information.

Types of Modes :
● Mode A: Provides the aircraft's 4-digit identity code.
● Mode C: Provides the aircraft's pressure altitude.
● Mode S: An advanced mode that allows selective interrogation of specific
aircraft, providing additional data and enhancing the radar's capacity for
crowded airspace.
Advantages :

● Aircraft Identification: SSR provides unique identification codes for

aircraft, crucial in busy airspace to prevent confusion.
● Altitude Information: SSR provides vital altitude info for safe vertical
separation during aircraft climbs and descents, essential in airspace
safety.
● Selective Interrogation: Mode S SSR enables selective aircraft
interrogation, reducing congestion and enhancing radar efficiency in
busy airspace.
● Enhanced Communication: SSR with Mode S enables advanced data
link, enhancing aircraft-ground communication for safer and
streamlined air traffic management.
● Integration with TCAS: SSR is vital for TCAS(traffic alert and collision
avoidance system), helping pilots avoid mid-air collisions with
advisories based on SSR data.
Limitations :

● Dependence on Transponders: SSR relies on aircraft transponders; if

they fail or are off, SSR can't provide ID or altitude info, posing security
concerns if intentionally disabled.
● Limited Range: SSR has shorter range than PSR, impacting coverage
in areas with large distances between radar installations.
● Channel Congestion: In crowded airspace, SSR channels can get
congested, causing delays in obtaining updated aircraft information.
● Limited Data Capacity: Traditional SSR systems face data capacity
challenges with high aircraft volume, impacting efficient data
exchange.
● Security Vulnerabilities: SSR signals can be jammed or spoofed,
posing security risks in military and defense applications.
● Aging Infrastructure: Older SSR systems may struggle to integrate
with modern digital communication technologies.
Radar Coverage
Coverage Volume
The coverage volume refers to the three-dimensional space that the radar
system can monitor and perform target detection.

Coverage Range
Range defines the maximum distance upto which the radar can detect the
target without any ambiguity.

Coverage Altitude
The altitude coverage of the radar gives the information about the maximum and
minimum altitudes between which the radar can identify the targets.
Challenges
Faced and the
solutions
Range
The range of Radar depends on factors like power of the radar transmitter, frequency
of radar signal and radar antenna gain. Primary radar systems typically have a longer
maximum range compared to secondary radar systems because they rely on the
reflection of radio waves from aircraft.

Line of Sight (LoS)

The Radar antenna height and the altitude of the target affects the Radar’s Line of
Sight. Higher antenna locations can extend radar coverage by allowing it to see
targets over the obstacles .

Radar Clutters
The stationary clutters and adverse weather conditions like snow, heavy rains, fog
affects the radar operation. DLCs (Delay Line Cancellers) are used for removing the
clutters from the radar display.

Beamwidth
The radar beam width refers to the angular width of the radar beam emitted by the
antenna. A narrow beamwidth radar that is mechanically or electronically steered to
scan wider area is best suited for a focused coverage over a wide area.
Radar Shadow
Big mountains and buildings create radar shadows, which are areas where radar
signals cannot penetrate, resulting in hiding any targets located in that area.
Applications
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Air traffic control towers at airports and regional facilities use primary radar to track aircraft
within their coverage areas. The secondary radar provides additional information beyond
position data.

Weather Monitoring
Weather radar systems are used to monitor and track meteorological phenomena,
including precipitation, thunderstorms, and other weather events. They are helpful in
avoiding turbulence and thunderstorms.

Homeland Security
Air surveillance radar is employed in border security and coastal surveillance to detect
unauthorized or suspicious aerial activities, such as smuggling or unauthorized border
crossings.
Maritime Surveillance
Air surveillance radar is also used for
monitoring maritime activities for locating
ships and boats helping with maritime
security.

Military Air Defense

They are located in strategic locations and are
designed for early warning of incoming threats,
such as enemy aircraft, missiles, or drones. These
radar systems have long-range capabilities and
can detect and track potential threats from a
considerable distance.
THE END

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