Technology / Radar Glossary

Range Resolution: Range resolution is the ability of the radar to differentiate or resolve two targets that are close together in range.

Range Rings Control: Range rings are displayed on the screen when selected by this control and provide a rough estimate of the distance to a target displayed on the screen. The distance between the range rings i . . . View Full Definition

Range Selector: A control for selecting the range setting for the radar indicator.

Reflection: The return of all or part of a sound beam when it encounters the boundary between two media. The most important rule of reflection is that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of ref . . . View Full Definition

Reflection Plotter: An attachment fitted to a ppi which provides a plotting surface permitting radar plotting without parallax errors. Any mark made on the plotting surface will be reflected on the radarscope d . . . View Full Definition

Reflectivity Factor (Z): Integral over the backscatter cross-section of the particles in a pulse volume. For particles small compared to the wavelength the scatter cross-section is d6, where d is the diameter of the . . . View Full Definition

Refraction: The bending of the radar beam in passing obliquely through regions of the atmosphere of different densities.

Relative Motion Display: A type of radarscope display in which the position of own ship is normally fixed at the center of the ppi (some sets have off-center capability in relative mode of operation) and all detecte . . . View Full Definition

Resolution: The degree of ability of a radar set to indicate separately the echoes of two contacts in range, bearing, and elevation. With respect to:

Resolution In Bearing: The ability to display multiple objects individually that are closely spaced at the same range. Shorter pulse lengths increase resolution

Resolution In Range: The ability to display multiple objects individually that are closely spaced at the same bearing. Smaller horizontal beam width increases resolution.

Responder Beacon: Transponder beacon.

RHI (Range Height Indicator): Display on which radar signals are shown with height as the vertical axis and range as the horizontal axis, forming a vertical cross section of a cloud or precipitation system.

Same Direction Tracking: Tracking vehicles from behind or in front of the patrol vehicle going the same direction while the patrol vehicle is moving. All decatur police moving radars and decatur polie radar guns off . . . View Full Definition

Same Lane Radar: Uses dual antenna moving radar to clock vehicles ahead or behind a rolling cruiser. Example: decatur genesis i moving police radar w/ dual k-band antenna.

Sample Volume: The volume in which the radar data for one range bin are measured. Defined by the width of the radar beam (app. 1°) and half the length of the transmitted pulse. 1 µs pulses are 150 m deep, . . . View Full Definition

Satellite Radar: Satellite radar systems can be used for a variety of surveillance applications.

Scan: To investigate an area or space by varying the direction of the radar antenna and thus the radar beam. Normally, scanning is done by continuous rotation of the antenna.

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