T11 — Introduction to modern radar transmitters

This tutorial on radar transmitters will address a broad range of issues including system-level design, vacuum-tube technologies and supporting hardware (such as power supplies, exciters, and modulators), solid-state device technologies, and related spectrum issues facing transmitter designers. The emphasis will be on design issues associated with modern approaches, to include the impact of software defined radio technology and adaptive radar systems that mitigate RFI/EMI problems in a congested EM environment. System level design topics will include the topology of the transmitter as well as the individual components comprising the topology. An important part of this discussion is that the design must match the intended environment, as different design parameters will be emphasized for airborne vs. ship-based vs. ground radar systems. Additionally, the specific application will have an impact on design parameters. Thus, a radar transmitter for a through-the wall system will be very different from one used to carry out meteorological data collection, or one used for a space-based system. Finally, for optimum system operation, the transmitter must be matched to the receiver.