Avionics - Airborne Radar Systems

Brief Description

An acronym for RAdio Direction And Ranging.

Airborne RADAR is a complex system of high power X-Band pulses being transmitted out a  swept dish or phased array antenna, reflected back from the condensation in the clouds and received by the same swept dish or phased array antenna. The receiver times the received pulses relative to the transmitted pulses and displays a representation of the condensation on the RADAR display.

Monochrome RADARS indicate cloud density using levels of grey. Color RADARS relate cloud density using colors.

Most RADAR systems allow the flight crew to 'point' the antenna down to map the ground allowing the crew to 'see' through the clouds to find ground features.

Some RADAR systems will also overlay mapping information, or display beacons for tracking. 

Latest generation RADAR systems will also map wind shear, and the vertical components of the weather and interface weather information onto ARINC 429 data busses for display onto the EFIS system.

Most general aviation RADAR systems employ a two component system comprising a receiver/transmitter/ antenna + panel mounted indicator. Air Transport systems are generally three components; Antenna, Receiver/Transmitter, and panel mounted indicator.

Care and Handling of Radar System

RADAR systems require special handling. The transmitter of most RADAR systems employ a device called a magnetron. This device uses a very large permanent magnet. Some shipping companies class magnetic devices as dangerous goods as the magnet can affect the shipping aircraft's compass systems. Another potential hazard is the proximity of the magnetron to the RADAR indicator. CRT's use a scanned electron beam (or beams for color units). These beams are directed by electromagnets on the yoke of the CRT. If a permanent magnet is held in close proximity of the CRT a magnetic 'hot spot' may be induced into the CRT. This will cause the beams to converge creating a distorted display. If a CRT has been affected it must be de-gaussed with special coil to equalize the charge across the CRT display.

Shipping

Our policy is to maintain a 3' separation between the RADAR indicator, and RADAR transmitter. These units should also be shipped in separate containers