What is Radar Cross Range Resolution

Radar cross range resolution is the ability of a radar system to distinguish between two targets located at the same distance but separated in angle. Higher cross range resolution improves target identification, imaging accuracy and tracking performance in radar applications such as surveillance, navigation and remote sensing.

Cross Range Resolution refers to the radar’s ability to distinguish between multiple objects or targets that are located at the same range (i.e. distance from the radar). It’s essentially the resolution capability in the direction perpendicular to the radar antenna’s axis.

There are two primary types of radar cross range:

• Azimuth (or Horizontal) Cross Range: Deals with distinguishing targets separated horizontally at the same distance.
• Elevation (or Vertical) Cross Range: Deals with distinguishing targets separated vertically at the same distance.

Radar antennas that emit narrow beams possess a greater ability to resolve targets that are positioned very closely together in the cross-range dimension.

The cross range resolution can be calculated using the following equation:

Where:

• $\Delta x$ = Radar Cross Range Resolution (measured in meters)
• $R$ = Target Range (distance to the target)
• $L_{eff}$ = Effective length of the antenna in the direction where the beamwidth is to be measured
• $\lambda$ = Wavelength of the radar signal