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Pulse Radar Range Calculator & Formula

By RF Wireless Expert Team

This online Pulse Radar Range Calculator allows you to compute the maximum detection range of a pulse radar system based on essential parameters such as transmit power, antenna gain, radar cross section, and more. Simply input the required values, and the calculator will provide you with the maximum range at which the radar can effectively detect targets.

Radar Range Calculator

Inputs

Outputs

Example Calculation:

Scenario : Let us determine the maximum detection range for a hypothetical X-band radar system detecting a small drone with the following input parameters.

INPUTS:

  • Transmit Power (Pt) = 1 kWatts
  • Frequency (f) = 10 GHz
  • Antenna Gain (G) = 30 dB
  • Radar Cross Section (σ) = 1 m²
  • Minimum Detectable Signal (Smin) = -90 dBm

OUTPUT:

  • Wavelength (λ) = 0.03 m
  • Maximum Range = 4614 m

Results:

  • Under these conditions, the radar can detect the target at a maximum range of approximately 4.6 km.

Pulse Radar Maximum Range Formula

Following radar equation can be used to calculate the maximum range of a pulse radar system.

Pulse Radar Range Formula

Where:

Rmax = Maximum Radar Range (meters), Pt = Transmit Pulse Power (watts), G = Antenna Gain (unitless), σ = Radar Cross Section (m²), λ = Wavelength (meters), 4π = Constant (approximately 12.566), Smin = Minimum Detectable Signal (watts)

References

  1. Introduction to Radar Systems. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2001 by Merrill I. Skolnik.

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