Part 3/9:
To resolve two targets in range, the pulse width must be shorter than the time it takes for the wave to travel between the targets and back. Mathematically,
[ \Delta R \geq \frac{c \times toaw}{2} ]
If the targets are less than this distance apart, their reflections blend together, creating ambiguity.
From Time to Frequency: Bandwidth's Role
While initially seeming straightforward, range resolution can also be related to the bandwidth (B) of the radar signal. Shorter pulses correspond to broader bandwidths, enabling finer resolution:
[ \text{Range Resolution} \approx \frac{c}{2B} ]
This inverse relationship implies that increasing the bandwidth improves range resolution, although practical constraints like system design and hardware limitations can impose trade-offs.