What are the advantages of pulsed radar over continous one?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the advantages of pulsed radar compared to continuous wave (CW) radar, exploring their respective applications, capabilities, and limitations in measuring distances and speeds.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that pulsed radar is necessary for measuring distances, as it emits an electromagnetic pulse that reflects off targets, allowing for distance calculation based on the time delay of the returned signal.
  • Others note that pulsed radar can maintain a high energy content in its pulses while keeping the average power output low, which may enhance its range capabilities.
  • It is mentioned that continuous wave radars are typically used for speed measurements via the Doppler effect, but they are limited in range and cannot measure distances.
  • One participant introduces lidar as a related technology, specifically a short-range Doppler lidar, and questions the definition of "short range" in this context.
  • Another participant confirms that 8 meters is considered a short range for lidar applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applications and effectiveness of pulsed versus continuous wave radar, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus on the advantages in specific contexts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the specific contexts in which pulsed or continuous wave radar might be preferred, nor does it resolve the implications of using lidar in relation to radar technologies.

vani
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what are the advantages of pulsed radar over continuous one?
 
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For what use? I would think that they would have adv./disadv. under different uses...
 
If you want to measure distances, you must use a pulsed radar. The device emits an EM pulse that goes to the target and is reflected. The radar receiver detects the reflected pulse and the information processing measures the time between emission and reception. This time is twice the distance divided by the speed of light.
Additionally, a pulsed radar has another advantage. The time between pulses is several order of magnitude greater than the pulse duration, so you can have a pulse with a high energy content (and longer range capability), while maintaining the mean power output relatively low.
CW radars are normally used for measuring speeds through the Doppler effect. They are short ranged and cannot measure distances.
 
lidar

It is a short range doppler lidar.
By the way, is 8m a short range in lidars?
 
Since it is a doppler device, it measures speed. And yes, 8 m is a short range.
 

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