How Does Radar Work?

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

26 Apr 202201:14

Summary

TLDRRadar, coined by the U.S. Navy in 1940, uses radio waves to detect and locate objects, such as airplanes, in the sky. A magnetron generates high-powered waves, which are directed by an antenna. These waves travel at the speed of light, bounce off objects like airplanes, and return to Earth. The antenna captures the return waves, and computers process the data to determine the location of the airplane. This information is then displayed for air traffic controllers, allowing them to track airplanes and ensure safe air travel.

Takeaways

😀 Radar was coined in 1940 by the United States Navy.
😀 The acronym 'Radar' stands for Radio Detection And Ranging.
😀 Radar uses radio waves to detect objects like airplanes in the sky.
😀 A device called a magnetron generates high-powered radio waves.
😀 The antenna focuses the radio waves into a narrow beam and shoots them into the sky.
😀 Radio waves travel at the speed of light until they hit an object, such as an airplane.
😀 When the radio waves hit an object, they bounce back toward Earth.
😀 Some of the return waves are captured by the antenna.
😀 The data from the return waves is processed by computers to determine the object's location.
😀 Based on the strength and travel time of the radio waves, a computer determines the location of the airplane.
😀 The location of the airplane is displayed on an air traffic controller’s screen, helping track its position.

Q & A

What does the acronym RADAR stand for?
-RADAR stands for RAdio Detection And Ranging.
Who coined the term RADAR and when?
-The term RADAR was coined in 1940 by the United States Navy.
What is the main function of radar?
-Radar is used to detect the location of objects, such as airplanes, by using radio waves.
What device generates the high-powered radio waves used in radar?
-A device called a magnetron generates the high-powered radio waves used in radar.
How do radar waves interact with objects like airplanes?
-Radar waves travel towards objects like airplanes, and when they hit, they bounce back towards Earth.
What role does the antenna play in radar technology?
-The antenna focuses the radio waves into a narrow beam and continually shoots them into the sky.
How are the return radio waves used to determine an object's location?
-The return waves are captured by the antenna, and the data is processed by computers to determine the object's location based on the strength and travel time of the waves.
What information does the radar provide to air traffic controllers?
-Radar provides the location of airplanes, which is displayed on an air traffic controller's screen to help track the airplanes.
How does radar contribute to air traffic safety?
-Radar helps air traffic controllers track the real-time location of airplanes, ensuring they can manage and maintain safety in the sky.
What are the key components involved in radar technology?
-The key components of radar technology include the magnetron (for generating radio waves), the antenna (for focusing and sending waves), and the computer system (for processing return waves and determining location).