Effects caused by radar wave propagation
Radars: basic principles - Detection parameters

The environment in which the radar is located has a significant effect on wave propagation and can affect the radar's coverage and the accuracy of its measurements.

In the case of radar waves, which are generally in the meter and centimeter ranges, the main factors affecting radar performance are:

• reflections on the Earth's surface;

• refraction caused by atmospheric inhomogeneity;

• atmospheric attenuation.

The estimates to be made will be based on typical cases, and the results obtained will provide an average quantitative value for the effects under study.

Other phenomena (ground waves, ionospheric reflection) occur in the HF band.