Function and structure of an electronic radar system

The principles and advantages of electronic radar devices are described, together with a detailed discussion of the ELRA (Electronic Radar) experimental system, including antenna structural design and operational tests. The ELRA system, using S-band frequency, has a range of about 200 km for targets with 1 sq m surface reflection, and a lobe width of 1.5 deg (circular), with the impulse length, pulse repetition frequency, and aperture inclination being 2-10 microns, 500 Hz, and 30 deg respectively. The experiments during the two construction phases, encompassing 94 and 300 antennas respectively, showed that functional tests concerning the interplay between antenna, radar, and control systems can be adequately performed with small antennae. Modulation technology is suggested as a way for system improvements without necessitating significant changes in the overall structure of the system.