RadarPulseCW DopplerFMCW
Radar Fundamentals: Pulse, CW, and FMCW
Radar is echolocation for electromagnetic waves — send out a pulse, listen for the bounce, and measure the delay to find out how far away something is.
Calculators
Antenna Design
Signal Analysis
RF Components
Radar is echolocation for electromagnetic waves — send out a pulse, listen for the bounce, and measure the delay to find out how far away something is.
Green pulse travels to target; amber echo returns. Time delay Δt gives range R = cΔt/2.
| Property | Pulse | CW Doppler | FMCW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range measurement | Yes (time delay) | No | Yes (beat freq.) |
| Velocity measurement | With Doppler processing | Yes (direct) | Yes (2D FFT) |
| TX/RX isolation needed | Low (switch) | High (leakage) | Moderate |
| Peak power | High | Low | Low |
| Hardware complexity | Moderate | Simple | Moderate |
| Typical applications | Air surveillance, weather | Speed guns, Doppler wx | Automotive, altimeters |