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Ka-Band Radar Frequency Applications

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

  • Ka-band radar frequencies make high-resolution, close-range targeting radars a reality. 

  • Ka-band radar frequency is popular in interferometric applications, as it minimizes the baseline lengths for interferometry. 

  • Ka-band radar frequency is safe and more versatile than X-band radars; the weather has minimal influence on radar performance. 

Ka-band radar frequency

Ka-Band radar frequency is used in metrological and law enforcement monitoring

Ka-band radar is used in metrological and law enforcement monitoring. Ka-band radar supports the observation of clouds, fog, and precipitation, helping expand the frontiers of knowledge in snow or ice microphysics and the lifecycle of warm clouds. For all these applications, Ka-band radar frequency ranging from 27 GHz to 40 GHz is used.

Let’s explore Ka-band radar frequency applications further.

Radar Frequency 

Radars are used in climate monitoring systems, agriculture, aviation, military, law enforcement, and smart mobility systems. The frequency of the radar is significant in all these applications, as it determines the performance of the radar.

Modern radar utilizes frequencies from 400MHz to hundreds of GHz. However, different frequencies are chosen specifically based on the application and the space available for the radar assembly placement. The one advantage of high-frequency usage in radar systems is the compactness of the antenna and associated systems. As the radar frequency gets higher, the more compact the antenna and auxiliary systems become.

Radar Frequency Selection

Typically, radio frequency is used for radar applications ranging from L, S, C, X, Ku, K, and Ka. The first and foremost consideration is the compatible operation of radar without interfering with other radars. Various factors such as transmitted power, atmospheric attenuation, and beamwidth influence radar frequency selection. Among the radio frequency bands, the Ka-band is widely used for radar applications. 

Ka-Band Radar Frequency

The frequency ranging from 27GHz to 40 GHz is referred to as Ka-band frequency. The wavelength of the frequency is between 1.1 to 0.75cm. It is a frequency band extensively used in radar applications, as it offers high-speed communication with wide coverage. The size reduction in the antenna is another advantage of using Ka-band radar frequencies. Ka-band frequencies are hardly affected by atmospheric conditions, so they can be used at sites with harsh weather.  

Applications

Ka-band radar frequencies make high-resolution, close-range targeting radars a reality. Let’s take a look at a few Ka-band radar frequency applications.

Ka-Band Scanning Cloud Radar

Scanning cloud radars are typically polarimetric Doppler radars in which frequency selection is predominantly based on atmospheric attenuation at the site. There are different types of scan strategies defined for the scanning radars:

  1. Right height indicator - Scan in which the elevation axis is altered, keeping the azimuth axis constant. This type of scan is common in scanning cloud radars, which provide 3D cloud field data.

  2. Plan position indicator - The plan position indicator is used in weather radars where the elevation is scanned for 360 degrees followed by an elevation increment.

Ka-Band Microwave Imaging Radar

Ka-band microwave radar came into existence to extract precise characteristics from the microwave image of a target. The potential of microwave photonics to provide a compact and low-cost system for the generation and processing of microwave signals used in microwave imaging techniques expanded the opportunity for Ka-band radar frequency. It offers high range and high resolution and enables quantitative information to be collected from the target image.

Ka-Band Interferometric Radars

Ka-band radars are mainly used in airborne or spaceborne systems for interferometric applications. Ka-band radar frequency is popular in interferometric applications, as it minimizes baseline lengths for interferometry. Ka-band interferometric radars are employed in civil security applications, disaster monitoring, etc. As per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ka-band frequency in the range of 35.5 to 36.0 GHz is set aside for active Earth exploration satellite services, which help in achieving high-resolution imagery and altimeter measurements. Due to their short wavelengths, Ka-band radar systems are light, which reduces their overall mass and cost.

Ka-Band Traffic Radars

Ka-band radars offset the use of traditional X-bands in traffic monitoring. Ka-band radars are smaller than X-band radars and offer highly accurate speed measurements. Ka-band radar frequency is safe and more versatile than X-band radar, and the weather has minimal influence on radar performance.

Cadence can assist you in developing Ka-band radar systems for metrological and other monitoring purposes. Cadence offers highly efficient design tools and analysis that ensure the development of efficient Ka-band radar systems.

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