engineering

Radar Systems & Detection

The science and engineering of radio detection and ranging — radar range equations, Doppler velocity measurement, phased-array beam steering, radar cross-section analysis, and pulse compression techniques that enable modern surveillance, weather tracking, and defense systems.

radarradar equationDoppler radarphased arrayradar cross sectionpulse compressionantennasignal processing

Radar systems use radio waves to detect, locate, and track objects at distances ranging from meters to thousands of kilometers. Since its development in the 1930s, radar has become indispensable in aviation, weather forecasting, military defense, autonomous vehicles, and space exploration. The underlying physics connects electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna theory, signal processing, and statistical detection theory.

These simulations let you explore the core principles: calculate detection range with the radar equation, measure target velocity via Doppler shift, steer beams electronically with phased arrays, analyze radar cross-section for stealth design, and compress pulses for high-resolution ranging — all with real-time interactive visualizations grounded in established engineering models.

5 interactive simulations

simulator

Doppler Radar & Velocity Measurement

Simulate Doppler radar — explore how target radial velocity creates frequency shifts used for velocity measurement, clutter rejection, and weather detection

simulator

Phased Array Beam Steering & Antenna Patterns

Simulate a phased-array antenna — explore how element spacing, phase shifts, and array size control beam direction, sidelobe levels, and angular resolution

simulator

Pulse Compression & Chirp Radar

Simulate pulse compression radar — explore how linear frequency modulation (chirp) achieves fine range resolution without sacrificing detection energy

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Radar Cross Section & Target Detectability

Simulate radar cross section — explore how target size, shape, material, and frequency determine RCS and stealth characteristics

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Radar Range Equation & SNR

Simulate the radar range equation — explore how transmit power, antenna gain, target cross-section, and noise determine maximum detection range