Definitions used in Radar
"A",
"B",
"C",
"D",
"E",
"F",
"G",
"H",
"I",
"J",
"K",
"L",
"M",
"N",
"O",
"P",
"Q",
"R",
"S",
"T",
"U",
"V",
"W",
"X",
"Y",
"Z"
"M" to "Min", "Mix" to "Mon", "Mos" to "Mz"
Mixer: In radar, a circuit that combines the received rf signal with a local-oscillator signal to
effectively convert the received signal to a lower IF frequency signal. [RF Mixer Manufacturers]
Mixers: See Balanced and Schottky Diode Mixers.
Mobile Radar: A self-propelled radar mounted on a vehicle. A towed radar mounted behind a truck might also be considered a mobile radar.
Mode Shifting: In a magnetron, shifting from one mode to another during a pulse.
Modes: Operational phases of a radar.
Mode Skipping: Rather than firing on each successive pulse as desired, the magnetron fires
randomly.
Modulation: The process whereby some characteristic of one wave is varied in accordance with some characteristic of another wave. The basic types of modulation are angle modulation (including the special cases
of phase and frequency modulation) and amplitude modulation. In missile radars, it is common practice to amplitude modulate the transmitted RF carrier wave of tracking and guidance transmitters by using a pulsed wave for modulating, and to frequency module the transmitted RF carrier wave of illuminator transmitters by using a sine wave.
Modulation, Amplitude: This type of modulation changes the amplitude of a carrier wave in responses
to the amplitude of a modulating wave. A type of modulation used in radar only as a switch to turn on or turn off the
carrier wave; i.e., pulse is a special form of amplitude modulation. Also refer to an example transistor AM Modulator Circuit, located in the General Engineering Dictionary.
Modulation, Frequency: The frequency of the modulated carrier wave is varied in proportion to the
amplitude of the modulating wave and therefore, the phase of the carrier varies with the integral of the modulating wave. See also Modulation.
Modulation, Phase: The phase of the modulated carrier is varied in proportion to the amplitude of
the modulating wave. See also Modulation. Related topic; RF Phase Detector Manufacturers.
Modulator: Produces a high-voltage pulse that turns the transmitter on and off.
Modulator Switching Device: Controls the on (discharge) and off (charge) time of the
modulator.
Moisture Lapse: Abnormal variation of moisture content at different altitudes because of high
moisture located just above large bodies of water.
Monopulse: A type of tracking radar that permits the extracting of tracking error information from each received pulse and offers a reduction
in tracking errors as compared to a conical-scan system of similar power and size. Multiple (commonly four) receiving
antennas or feeds are placed symmetrically about the center axis and operate simultaneously to receive each RF pulse reflected from the target. A comparison of the output signal amplitude or phase among the four antennas indicates the location of the target with respect to the radar beam center line. The output of the comparison circuit controls a servo system that reduces the tracking error to zero and thereby causes the antenna to track the target.
Monopulse Lobing: Radar receiving method using two or more (usually
four) partially overlapping lobes. Sum and difference channels locate the target with respect to the
axis of the antenna.
Monopulse Radar: A radar that gets the range, bearing, and elevation position data of a target
from a single pulse.
Monopulse Receiver: See Monopulse Lobing.
Monopulse Tracking: See the general term Monopulse.
