air-traffic-control radar-beacon system
Quick Summary
Radar is an electromagnetic sensor used to detect, locate, track, and recognize objects at considerable distances by transmitting energy and observing the returning echoes. It operates primarily in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies typically ranging from 400 MHz to 40 GHz.1
Airport surveillance radar systems, like the ASR-9, are designed to reliably detect and track aircraft within a specific range and altitude, ensuring high operational availability through reliable components and redundancy. These systems also help air traffic controllers identify and navigate around severe weather by distinguishing weather echoes from aircraft targets.2
The air-traffic-control radar-beacon system (ATCRBS) works with cooperative targets equipped with transponders. It interrogates aircraft with coded signals, allowing them to identify themselves and report their altitude, aiding in air traffic control.2
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