Radar Overview - Concepedia

Principles

Definition

Radar is a research field and technology focused on the active remote sensing of objects using transmitted electromagnetic waves. By analyzing the characteristics of the reflected signals, it enables the determination of object presence, location, motion, and properties, serving as a critical tool in diverse applications including navigation, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.

Ontological type

Core Principles

Applications and Use Cases

System Architectures

Key developments

Key Figures

High-Resolution Doppler Foundations era

R. F. Woodman[1] (University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo[3]) conducted radar observations and method development during this era. His key contributions include radar observations of F-region equatorial irregularities[5] and winds and turbulence in the stratosphere and mesosphere[6], which advanced high-resolution Doppler-aware sensing and laid groundwork for later imaging and atmospheric studies. B. B. Balsley[2] (Cornell University[4]) contributed to high-resolution Doppler radar work from this era. His work on the MST radar technique[7], Doppler Radar Probing of the Clear Atmosphere[8], and Continuous measurement of upper atmospheric winds and turbulence using a VHF Doppler radar[9] helped establish middle and upper atmospheric sensing capabilities and underscored the central role of Doppler processing in this foundational period.

Interferometry and Polarimetry era

H. A. Zebker [1] was associated with Stanford University [3] and the California Institute of Technology [4] during this era. His key contributions include decorrelation in interferometric radar echoes [6], two-dimensional phase unwrapping for satellite radar interferometry [7], and Topographic mapping using radar interferometry: processing techniques [8], which advanced quantitative surface characterization in interferometry and polarimetry. R. M. Goldstein [2] was affiliated with the California Institute of Technology [4] and the University of Virginia [5] during this era. His contributions include two-dimensional phase unwrapping for satellite radar interferometry [7] and studies of multibaseline spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radars [9], which laid groundwork for multi-baseline interferometry and deformation monitoring in this era.

Sensor Diversity and Persistence era

P. A. Rosen [1] is a leading figure associated with the University of California, Berkeley [3] and California Institute of Technology [4] during the Sensor Diversity and Persistence era. His key contributions in this era revolve around advancing synthetic aperture radar interferometry (SAR) for high-resolution topographic and surface-deformation mapping, as evidenced by The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission [6], Synthetic aperture radar interferometry [7], and Atmospheric effects in interferometric synthetic aperture radar surface deformation and topographic maps [8], which collectively enabled reliable monitoring and interpretation of ground processes in diverse environments. A. Ferretti [2] is associated with the University of California, Berkeley [3] and ETH Zurich [5] during this era. His central contribution is the permanent scatterers concept in SAR interferometry [9], which provided stable long-term deformation monitoring and high-precision imaging, underpinning persistent sensing in congested or dynamic environments.