What are the two main types of RADAR?

Prepare for the RADAR and LIDAR exams with comprehensive quizzes. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to enhance your study and ace the test!

The two main types of RADAR systems are indeed categorized as pulsed RADAR and continuous wave (CW) RADAR.

Pulsed RADAR sends out discrete pulses of radio waves and measures the time it takes for the echoes of those waves to return after hitting an object. This allows for distance measurement, as the time of flight of the pulse correlates to the distance of the object being detected. The pulsing method also allows for the transmission of high power during each pulse while not continuously using power, which is advantageous in many applications.

Continuous wave RADAR, on the other hand, emits a constant signal rather than pulses. This type is particularly effective for detecting speed through the Doppler effect because it can continuously monitor shifts in frequency of the returning signal as the radar beam interacts with a moving object. CW RADAR is often used in speed enforcement and some aircraft altimeters.

The other options represent different categorizations or features of RADAR systems rather than the two fundamental types. For instance, phased array RADAR refers to a technique for steering the direction of radar transmission electronically, and active/passive distinctions relate to whether the RADAR system generates its own signals or relies on external sources. However, pulsed and continuous wave represent the

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