What is X-band radar?

About X-band radar:

• An X-band radar is a radar that emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm.
• The smaller wavelengths allow the radar to produce images of higher resolution.
• However, the greater the frequency of some radiation, the faster it will be attenuated.
• Applications
  • The new radar is expected to be able to monitor the movements of particles, such as soil, to inform landslide warnings.
  • The device will also perform high temporal sampling, that is, rapidly sample its environs, allowing it to spot particle movements happening in shorter spans of time.
  • These radars are typically used for studies about cloud development and light precipitation due to their ability to detect tiny water particles and snow.

What is Radar?

• Radar is short for ‘radio detection and ranging’.
• The device uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity and physical characteristics of objects around the device.
• A transmitter emits a signal aimed at an object whose characteristics are to be ascertained (in meteorology, this could be a cloud). A part of the emitted signal is echoed by the object back to the device, where a receiver tracks and analyses it.
• Weather radar, also known as Doppler radar, is a common application of this device. The Doppler effect is the change in the frequency of sound waves as their source moves towards and away from a listener.
• In meteorology, Doppler radars can reveal how fast a cloud is moving and in which direction based on how the cloud’s relative motion changes the frequency of the radiation striking it.
• A pulse-Doppler radar can measure the intensity of, say, rainfall by emitting radiation in pulses and tracking how often they’re reflected to the receiver.
• This way, modern Doppler radars can monitor weather conditions and anticipate new wind patterns, the formation of storms, etc.