In article ,
"Steve Lizard" wrote:
Perhaps you are referring to average power as opposed to peak power.
In which case you would be partially correct, but this is a function of
pulse length and pulse recurrent frequency (range selection). Normally, as
the pulse length decreases, the PRF increases proportionally, so even the
average power doesn't change too much.
Steve
Well, Not Exactly Steve....as the Pulse Length decreases the Peak Power
in each Pulse decreases, and the Effective Radiated Power for each
Pulse, corresponds directly to the Peak Power of the Pulse, as does
distance that pulse can travel, and be detected after reflecting back
from a target. A Marine Radar has much better Target Resolution at
Shorter Ranges, due to higher Pulse Repetition Rates, but if you do the
Math, you will see, even the Average Power is somewhat Higher for the
Longer, but less Frequent, Pulse Lengths. Because Radars use RF, they
are slaves to the Inverse Square Law, and at Short Ranges, it isn't
the Peak Pulse Power, that is the Limiting Factor, for either Resolution,
or Minimum Effective Target Acquisition.
--
Bruce (semiretired powderman & exFCC Field Inspector for Southeastern Alaska)
Bruce Gordon * Debora Gordon R.N. Bruce's Trading Post
P.O. Box EXI Excursion Inlet South
Juneau, Alaska 99850 Excursion Inlet, Alaska 99850
AL7AQ * KL7WJ
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