Technical Radar Terms
"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"
'P' to 'Pea', 'Pen' to 'Pol', 'Pow to 'Pulsedd', 'Pulsedl to 'Pz'
PULSE: A rapid, transient change in the amplitude of a signal from a baseline value to a higher or lower
value, followed by a rapid return to the baseline value.
PULSE COMPRESSION: See PC.
PULSED DOPPLER: [PD] A type of radar that combines the features of pulsed radars and CW Doppler radars. It transmits pulses (instead of CW) which permits accurate range measurement. This is an inherent advantage of pulsed radars. Also, it detects the Doppler frequency shift produced by target range rate which enables it to discriminate between targets of only slightly different range rate and also enables it to greatly reduce clutter from stationary targets. See also Doppler Effect.
Pulsed Radar: Text in review.
PULSE LENGTH: Same meaning as Pulse width.
Pulse Modulation: The modulation of a carrier by a series of pulses generally for the purpose of transmitting data. The result is a short, powerful burst of electromagnetic radiation which can be used for measuring the distance from a radar set to a target. A special case of amplitude modulation wherein the carrier wave is varied at a pulsed rate.
PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY: [PRF] The rate of occurrence of a series of pulses, such as 100 pulses per second. It is equal to the reciprocal of the pulse spacing (T) or PRT. (PRF = 1/T = 1/PRI). Sometimes the term pulse repetition rate (PRR) is used.
Pulse Repetition Rate
PULSE REPETITION FREQUENCY (PRF) STAGGER: The rate at which pulses are transmitted, given in hertz or pulses per second; reciprocal of pulse-repetition time. The technique of switching PRF (or PRI) to different values on a pulse-to-pulse basis such that the various intervals follow a regular pattern. This is useful in compensating for blind speeds in pulsed MTI radars. Interpulse intervals which differ but follow a regular pattern.
PULSE REPETITION INTERVAL (PRI) or TIME (PRT): Time between the beginning of one pulse and the beginning of the next.
PULSE-REPETITION RATE: [PRR] Average number of pulses per unit of time; pulse rate.
PULSE-REPETITION TIME: [PRT] Interval between the start of one pulse and the start of the next pulse; reciprocal of pulse-repetition frequency.
PULSE SPACING: The interval of time between the leading edge of one pulse and the leading edge of the next pulse in a train of regularly recurring pulses. See also Pulse Repetition Frequency. Also called the interpulse period.
PULSE-WIDTH: The interval of time between the leading edge of a pulse and the trailing edge of a pulse (measured in microseconds for the short pulses used in
radar). Also see Pulse Shape Definitions [Engineering Dictionary]. Usually measured at the 3 dB midpoint (50-percent power or 70% voltage level) of the pulse, but may be specified to be measured at any level.
