MILITARY RADARS
PRESENTED BY
RAGHU GUTTENNAVAR
2KL06TE024
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Functional Description
Operation
Advantages & Disadvantages
Conclusion
References
Abstract
RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is
basically a means of gathering information about
distant objects by transmitting electromagnetic
waves at them and analyzing the echoes. Radar has
been employed on the ground, in air, on the sea and
in space.
Radar finds a number of applications such as in
airport traffic control, military purposes, coastal
navigation, meteorology and mapping etc.
The development of the radar technology
took place during the World War II in
which it was used for detecting the
approaching aircraft and then later for many
other purposes which finally led to the
development of advanced military radars
being used these days.
Military radars have a highly specialized
design to be highly mobile and easily
transportable, by air as well as ground.
Introduction
Military radar should be an early warning,
altering along with weapon control functions. It is
specially designed to be highly mobile and should
be such that it can be deployed within minutes.
Military radar minimizes mutual interference of
tasks of both air defenders and friendly air space
users.
This will result in an increased effectiveness of
the combined combat operations.
The command and control capabilities of the
radar in combination with an effective ground
based air defense provide maximum
operational effectiveness with a safe, efficient
and flexible use of the air space.
The increased operational effectiveness is
obtained by combining the advantages of
centralized air defense management with
decentralized air defense control.
Functional Description
Of Radar Subsystem
The detection of air targets is accomplished
by the search radar, the video processor and the
color PPI unit. The color PPI unit provides the
presentation of all moving targets down to very
low radial speeds on a PPI screen.
The search radar is pulse Doppler radar
(also called MTI radar) i.e. it is capable
of distinguishing between the echo from
a fixed target and that of a moving
target.
The echoes from fixed target are
eliminated, so that the echoes from the
moving targets are presented on the
screen
Block
Diagram
The main units of radar subsystem are: -
1.HT Unit
The high tension unit converts the phase
mains voltage into a DC supply voltage of
about in the order of kV for the transmitter
unit.
2. Transmitter Unit
The transmitter unit comprises:
a)Modulator:
The modulator consists of the following
components: -
*Start Pulse Amplifier
*Pulse Unit
b) Magnetron:
The magnetron is a self-oscillating RF
power generator. It is supplied by the
modulator by high voltage pulses,
whereupon it produces band pulses.
3.LO+AFC Unit:
The LO+AFC unit determines the frequency
of the transmitted radar pulses. It comprises
of:-
1.Lock pulse mixer
2.AFC discriminator
3.Solid State Local Oscillator (SSLO)
4.Coherent Oscillator (COHO)
4.Receiver Unit:
The receiver unit converts the received RF
echo signals to IF level and detects the IF
signals. By detecting the IF signals in two
different ways, two receiver channels are
obtained called MTI channel and linear
channel The RF signals received by radar
antenna are applied to the low noise
amplifier.
5.Antenna:
The search antenna is a parabolic reflector,
rotating with a high speed. In the focus of the
reflector is a radiator, which emits the RF
pulses, and which receives the RF echo
pulses. In the waveguide is the polarization
shifter, which causes the polarization of the
RF energy to be either horizontally or
circularly.
6) Video processor:
The video processor processes the MTI video
from the MTI receiver channel, to make the
video suitable for the presentation on the color
PPI screen.
7) Protection Units:
There are some protection units such as arc
sensor to protect the magnetron against arcing
and RF power sensor maintaining the RF
power.
Complete Radar Block
diagram
Operating The Radar:
The operator’s main task is to watch the PPI (Plan
Position Indicator) display, which presents only moving
targets in the normal mode (MTI-MODE).
Detected target can be assigned with the joystick
controlled order marker to initiate target tracking.
Target tracking is started and a track marker
appears over the target echo. A label is displayed near the
track marker.
The system computer in the processor unit
processes data on this tracked target. When an aircraft
does not respond to the IFF interrogation it is considered
to be unknown.
Block diagram for Radar operation
Advanced Features &
Benefits:
Typical military radar has the following advanced features and
benefits:-
• All-weather day and night capability.
• Multiple target handling and engagement capability.
• Short and fast reaction time between target detection and
ready to fire moment.
• Easy to operate and hence low manning requirements and
stress reduction under severe conditions.
• Highly mobile system, to be used in all kind of terrain
• Flexible weapon integration, and unlimited number of single
Disadvantages:
Time - Radar can take up to 2 seconds to lock
on
Radar has wide beam spread (50 ft diameter
over 200 ft range).
Cannot track if deceleration is greater than
one mph/second.
Large targets close to radar can saturate
receiver.
Hand-held modulation can falsify readings.
Conclusion:
Military radars are one of the most
important requirements during the wartime,
which can be used for early detection of ballistic
missile and also for accurate target detection and
firing.
Radar system discussed here has a built in
threat evaluation program which automatically
puts the target in a threat sequence, and advises
the weapon crew which target can be engaged
first.
References:
1.‘Introduction to Radar Systems’ by Merrill
Skolnik 3rd Edition, TATA McGraw Hill.
2.‘Electronic Communication Systems’ by
Kennedy, Davis Fourth Edition
3. Bharat Electronics Limited website www.bel-
india.com
THANK YOU
