Part 2/9:
Range Resolution: Distinguishing Targets by Distance
How Radars Measure Range
Radar systems operate by transmitting a pulse of electromagnetic energy, which travels through space, hits a target, and reflects back to the system. The time delay between transmission and reception allows the radar to calculate the target's distance:
[ \text{Range} = \frac{c \times t}{2} ]
where:
c is the speed of light,
t is the round-trip travel time of the pulse.
Overlapping Pulses and Target Separation
When two targets are very close in distance, their reflected pulses may overlap, making it difficult for the radar to distinguish between them. The pulse width (toaw)—the duration of the transmitted pulse—sets the limit for range resolution.
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