A Radar It is a system that is used for measuring directions, altitudes, distances and speeds of static or mobile objects. Learn how a radar works, radar types and more.
What is a radar?
A Radar which is a term derived from the acronym in English radio detection and ranging, is a system that uses electromagnetic waves to measure altitudes, directions, distances and speeds of objects that can be found static or mobile, such as ships, aircraft, motor vehicles, meteorological formations and even the terrain itself .
How does a radar work?
This device sends high intensity and frequency radio waves with a transmitter. At the moment when these waves are sent, the transmitter is turned off and the receiver is turned on to wait for the “echo” that will be the return of the signal sent. With the above, it is possible to measure the time it takes for the echo to arrive and thanks to the effect Doppler, you can know the distance at which that object is and the speed. Different wavelengths can also be used to detect different types of objects. At one point the operation of a radar is very similar to the echolocation that a bat has in which it uses the time it takes for the signal to return to the receiver in order to calculate the distance in which the objects are.
How many types of radars are there?
For sure, you cannot specify the number of radars that exist, so it should be mentioned that there are many varieties. In turn, these radars can be defined as those that are used for cars that are speed or to cross a traffic light, those that are fixed and mobile, those that are marine and those of aviation.
Types of radars
Fixed radars or kinemeters without operator They are those that can be seen located in cabins and that are almost always on the side of the road, although sometimes they have been located in porches or poles. Due to their characteristics, they are radars that are always marked.
Mobile radars or kinemeters with operator They are those found in camouflaged cars or that are operated by the police as appropriate in each country. They are radars that work for both a vehicle that is in motion, and those that are aesthetic.
Section Radars They are much more reliable than the fixed ones, since in this case they can find the average speed that is achieved from one point to the other. In that sense, it is mandatory that for that route an average speed similar to or lower than that established is maintained. It is used more than anything in Applications of the traffic police.
Photo-red or traffic light radar They are radars that are not responsible for measuring speed, but are used to identify drivers who skip a red light.
Pegasus helicopter radar It is a much more selective radar with which you can observe the behavior of drivers to identify risk behaviors. In this case, two surveillance cameras are used, so that from the air you can know the trajectory of the vehicles, the license plate and even calculate speeds.
Marine or boat radars It is one of the most important teams and may even be the most GPS. With your help you can see everything that surrounds the boat through darkness, fog or adverse weather conditions. Depending on the case, it emits microwave frequencies or high intensity radio frequencies to establish a map of what is around. Even for its ability, it can detect and track storms overnight.
Aviation Radars It is the type of radar used by airplanes, in order to detect elements, birds and others that can be found in the air like other airplanes. In that order of ideas, it can be seen as a complement to the GPS technology we know today.
Radar Applications
- Infractions: Speed photomults use high speed radars
- Geologist: To detect reliefs and soils in order to make plans and identify underground resources.
- farming: Supervise agricultural crops or determine the relative humidity in soils.
- Ice and snow: Defrost monitoring due to global warming
- Forest: Forest planning and deforestation identifications
- Hydrologist: Water resources planning in a given area, identifying the direction of the flow.
- Environment: Environmental planning and monitoring and identification of natural resources.
- Weather: The most useful tool to detect storms and different natural disasters.
- Oceanography: Monitoring of the state of the seas or ocans, flows and currents of currents. It is also used to detect lost items in the sea.
Who invented the radar?
He radar inventor as it is known today was the Scots Robert Watson-Watt. Its creation was patented in the year 1935 and was used successfully by Great Britain during World War II.
