1. What is the meaning of radar?

The word radar is derived from Radio Detecting and Ranging. Radar
systems operate on an echo principle: high-energy radio waves in pulse
form are directed in a beam toward a reflecting target. When a pulse of
energy strikes a target, which may be a mountain, rain clouds, it reflects
back and a portion of the pulse is may reach the originating antenna used
to receive the reflected energy back to the radar system.

2. What is the difference between primary radar and secondary radar?

Primary radar Secondary radar

• Can’t used on longer range
because the measure time
depend on the range.
• Relies on reflected signals
(echos) from target
• The time is the range.
• Depend on pulses.
• Can used over longer range
for ATC transponder and
DME system.
• Echos are not considered
• The direction of the target
is the bearing and the time
is the range
• Depend on continouos
wave pulses.

3. If the distance of an object is 123.6 nautical miles, what is the time

required for the signal of the weather radar to hit the target and
return?

Distance X 1 radar mile = Time

Distance = 123.6 nm

Time required = x

1 radar mile = 12.36µs

123.6 nm × 12.36 µs

= 1527.70 µs.
4. If the time taken for a signal to hit a target and return in 1545
microseconds, what is the distance of the target?

Distance X 1 radar mile = Time

Distance = Time

1 radar mile

= 1545 µs

12.36 µs

= 125 nm

5. What is the maximum distance A scan display indicates?

In early types of radar systems, the display on the CRT was a horizontal
scale and was called an A scan. The time between the transmitted pulse
and the received pulse indicated the distance of the target from the
transmitter. With this type of scan, the direction of the target could not be
determined except by changing the direction in which the antenna was
pointed.

6. What type of radar is the :

(a) wheather radar - primary radar

(b) radar altimeter - primary radar

(c) radio altimeter - primary radar

(d) ATC transponder - secondary radar

(e) DME system - secondary radar

7. Draw a complete pulse to indicate :

• Peak power
 • Pulse width

• Pulse interval

• Rest time

• Average power

• Fall time

• Rise time

8. What’s the pulse repetition frequency, if the width is 4 microsecond

and rest time is 16 microsecond?

PRF = 1 / pulse width + rest time

Pulse width = 4 µs

Rest time = 16 µs

PRF = 1 / 4 µs + 16 µs

= 0.05 µs

9. What is duty cycle?

It is the fraction of time that a system is in an “active state”.Duty cycle is
the proportion of time during which a component, device , or system is
operted. It usually measured as a percentage.

10. What advantage of pulse system compare to carrier wave (CW)

in term of transmission power?

The advantage of pulse radar compared to the carrier wave are :

A) Rapid triggering

B) Fast cooling

C) Quick rise time compared to sine wave (CW)

11. Why wave guide are used for wheather radar system and not
twin feeder or coaxial cable?

Waveguide is used to connect an antenna to an r-t unit since the radar

frequency is too high to be transmitted through conventional wiring.
Waveguide is precision tube of a size critical to the operating frequency
within which it is possible to propagate RF at GHz levels. To improve
efficiencies in the system, a waveguide should be as short as possible. On
some systems the r-t unit is mounted directly to the base of the antenna.
This eliminates the need for any waveguide outside of the antenna or r-t
unit.

12. What type of transmission in radar propagation?

It uses a quater wavelength ‘antennas’ , formed into a solid tube, which

at 12.5 GHz (X-Band) will only be 9.375 mm long.

13. The wheather radar transceiver divided into 3 section, name and
explain the purpose?

Transmitter

The transmitter section is designed to produce pulses at C- or X-band

frequencies, at sufficient power to illuminate target at range up to 300 nm
and transmit that energy to the antenna section at the correct time. Most
modern radars use a completely solid state digital interface for
communication between the various sections of the radar system. The
transmitter generates a stable Intermediate Frequency (IF) using a
crystal-controlled oscillator. The IF is translated up to the X- or C-band
through a varactor multiplexer.

Receiver :

The receiver section contains the signal detection and amplification

circuits. It will receives the reflected radar signal through the antenna and
duplexer. This signal is received only during the listening time, which
occurs between bursts of transmitted energy. The first step is to amplify
the received signal to eliminate the loss of any resolution. The amplified
signal is sent to the mixer, which produces a lower-frequency IF. Using a
lower-frequency IF allows for less complicated circuitry than if the radar
frequency was used.The IF is then amplified, decoded, and filtered by the
data processor section of the r-t unit.

Data processing :

The data processing circuits use the received Rf return signal to produce a
data signal encoding the range , bearing and target information for
display on the system indicator. These circuit decode the analogue Rf
return signal, example reflected from a target and then digitally encode
the information into a format, usually video that decoded by the indicator.

14. What colour used for wheather radar mode and map mode?

Radar mode :

 Black : no detectable weather. (0mm ~ below)

 Green : moderate level of moisture, light level of turbulence.

(0mm ~ 4mm)

 Yellow : medium level of moisture, light-moderate level of

turbulence, possiblity of lightening. (4mm ~ 8mm)

 Red : high moisture level ,severe level of turbulence, possible

lightening. (8mm ~ 12mm)

 Magenta : highest moisture level , severe level of turbulence with

lightening and high gusting wind speed with hail. (12mm ~
above)

Map modes:
  Cyan : minimum detectable ground return.

 Yellow : medium ground return.

 Magenta : high level of ground return.

15. What the purpose of the following buttons on the wheather

radar?

STBY: When the button is push the system is energized to warm up the
magnetron and other circuits but there is no transmitter output.

CYC: When the button is push, the radar function as a normal weather
operation but with a flashing contour function. Example, it flash
on and off for the highest return.

MAP: When the button is push, the system operates in ground mapping
mode but usually only on the 10 NM and 25 NM ranges.

Range Control: The range switch selects the maximum selectable range of
the weather radar displays and has full scale selection of 10 ,
25 , 50 , 100 , 200 and 300 NM. There is a final TEST position,
which when selected produces a test patterns on the display.
With the majority of weather radar systems, when they are put
into their system test, they do not provide transmitted output but
scanner moves.

STAB Control: This switches the antenna stabilization in the pitch and roll
axis on and off.

TILT Control: This rotary knob controls the tilt angles of the scanner
between +- 15 degree.

FREEZE Control: When pressed the weather display is frozen and a flashing
HOLD annunciation alternates with the weather radar mode
indications. The first button press enables the function and the
second press disables it. The weather radar systems continues to
updated when this function is in operation so that the latest
information is available when it is deselected.

SEC Control: When selected this reduces the scan width by 50%,
typically from 120 degree to 60 degree doubling the normal scan
 rate. This function is useful on short ranges when the weather
picture is changing quickly. The first button press enables the
function and the second press disables it.

16. What advantage of flat plate antenna compare to parabolic

antenna?

Flat-plate antennas have approximately twice the efficiency of

conventional parabolic antennas.

With the flat-plate antenna, there is less signal loss to the sides of the
antenna.

• This more efficient antenna extends the range and resolution of

any given radar transmitter.

• Less powerful transmitter can be used to achieve a radar system

with comparable range and resolution.

Radar system performance is also improved when a larger antenna

(narrow beam-width) is used.

A narrower beam-width improves the ability of the radar system to

detect targets at longer ranges, minimizes beam-width distortion, and
improves display resolution.

17. Where does the transceiver receive the pitch and roll
information?

It received the information from weather radar system, stabilizer control

switches the antenna stabilization in the pitch and roll axis on and off.

18. What happen when a self test is initiated?

When the self test switch is initiated, it will produce a test pattern on the
display. All system have a self test feature which is usually initiated by a
switch on the indicator or a specific test switch on a convenient
instrument panel. Most system provide a 50 ft presentation when
activated, and if the DH value is set above 50ft, it will also test the DH
function. The indication that will normally show when testing radio
altimeter indicator using 7 segment digital display are : decision height ,
test altitude and 8888 (all the eights to ensure illumination of every
segment). The test altitude displayed will vary with the manufacturer.
Example, COLLIN ALL101 test altitude is 40 feet, the BENDEX 250 feet
and the TRT is 100 feet).

19. A cloud is painted on the PPI in red, green, and yellow.what does
these colour represent?

Red cloud- represents high moisture level at 8mm ~ 12mm, severe levels
of turbulence possible with lightening.

Green cloud- represents a moderate level of moisture at 0mm ~ 4mm,

light levels of turbulence possible.

Yellow cloud- represent medium level of moisture at 4mm ~ 8mm , light-

moderate levels of turbulence are possible with the possibility of
lightening.

20. What advantage of SCR compare to magnetron?

The Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) produced less electrical noise

compared to magnetron because it conducts current in one direction only.

21 Explain on range resolution and azimuth resolution?

Range resolution - ability to separate individual target like storm cells with
respect to range. If the range resolution incorrect, the target will merge
therefore pulse width will be altered (narrower). The pulse width
measured in microseconds divided by the velocity of light.

Azimuth resolution - ability to separate adjacent targets at the same

range but a few degree apart. It’s function of the transmitted beam width,
which spreads from the aircraft as range increases. Storm cells that
separated by a distance less than the width of the beam at a given range
will appear as a one target on the indicator.

22. What maximum range of radar altimeter and its purpose of this
system?

The purpose of the Radar Altimeter System is:

a. To measure the vertical distance from the aircraft to the ground

b. To provide the pilot with an indication of the absolute altitude

above the terrain
 Maximum range for radar altimeter is normally up to 5000ft but can go
as high as 30000ft.

23. The output of the radio altimeter is fed to what system?

Radio altimeter is fed to :

 Autopilot and flight director system.

 Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS).

 Cabin indication.

24. If the DH is set to 200 feet and self test is activated. Explain the
display?

The displays will show decision height, test altitude, and the ‘8888’ (‘all
eight’ to ensure illumination of every segment).

25. What typical frequency range of radio altimeter?

The typical frequency range for radio altimeter is at 4.35 GHz to 4.25 GHz
and operates with a carrier wave (CW).