\section{Components of Radar System}

Figure below shows the basic components of a pulsed radar system. The purpose of
each component is described below.
\begin{figure}[h]
\centering
% Requires \usepackage{graphicx}
\includegraphics[width=3.5in]{component}\\
\caption{Block Diagram of Pulsed Radar System}
\end{figure}
\newpage
\begin{enumerate}
\item Power Supply: It converts the primary power from the aircraft or ground/se
a/space-based system to the levels needed by each of the other components.
\item Synchroniser: The Synchroniser generates the timing pulses that are used t
o control the number of radar pulses created in one second, or pulse repetition
frequency (PRF) measured in hertz (Hz), of the radar. The timing pulses are pas
sed on to the modulator, the radar receiver (or signal processor), and to the di
splay.
\item Modulator: It is a power converter. It draws electrical energy from the po
wer supply and steps up the voltage many times. The modulator supplies the trans
mitter with high-power direct current (dc) pulses of electrical energy, switchin
g it on and off. This controls the pulse width (PW).
\item Transmitter: The Transmitter converts the dc pulses into short, high power
pulses of radio frequency (RF) energy. Transmitters can either use amplifiers,
where the pulse is generated at a low level and amplified, or power oscillators,
where the pulse is generated at the required energy level.
\item Waveguide: It carries out the same role as the transmission line in a radi
o communications system. It transfers RF energy from the transmitter to the ante
nna. The need for waveguides are brought about because at frequencies above 3 G
Hz, metal wires and cables are inefficient and cause excessive power losses for
RF energy. The solution is to use hollow metal tubes called waveguide to carry
the RF energy.
\item Duplexer: The Duplexer allows single antenna operation; it is used to prot
ect the receiver from high power transmissions entering directly from the transm
itter. This is achieved by switching antenna paths between the transmitter and
the receiver. Since the switching action must take place very quickly, the swit
ch is electronic.
\item Antenna: The purpose of the antenna is to focus and direct the RF energy i
nto a beam of the required shape for both transmission and reception. It may al
so determine the polarisation of the transmitted pulse. The beam is scanned by m
oving the entire antenna or by electronic means. Antennas come in many shapes an
d sizes, depending on their uses.
\item Receiver: The main purpose of the receiver is to amplify the very weak ech
oes. This is achieved by mixing the incoming RF to a lower frequency, where the
signal can be amplified and filtered more easily. The amplified signal is appl
ied to a detector, which demodulates the RF signal into a video signal.

\item Signal Processor: It amplifies and filters the target echoes to increase t
he target echo signal level and suppress unwanted noise. The signal processor m
akes the decision as to whether a target is present. It also calculates target
range and velocity.
\item Data Processor: It stores the location of targets and smooths track calcul
ations. In some systems it is responsible for track-while-scan functions.
\item Display: The display shows radar information in a usable form that may com
prise alphanumeric characters or symbols according to the use of the radar syste
m.
\end{enumerate}