Radar

[mjanderson]

how does millimetre wave radar work

[ACB312]

Radar works by transmitting a pulse or series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation then timing how long it takes for them to be echoed off metal back to the aerial. (This takes 12.36 millions of a second per mile) So this gives the range of the target. The aerial normally rotates and it 'knows' where north is so a simple counter will give the angle of the target(s) from north. The pulses are a burst of radiation at a specific frequency and this frequency has a wavelength depending on what the radar is used for - aircraft, weather, shipping or whatever. This wavelength can be from millimetres up to several centimetres. I've simplified things a bit but hope this helps. Cheers, Andy

[ACB312]

That should be millionths of a second i.e. 12.36 microseconds. Sorry, Andy