www.radartutorial.eu www.radartutorial.eu Radar Basics

Instrumented range

The instrumented range is the maximum range of a radar in which echo signals can be displayed. It is not a measure of the actual range of the radar or its probability of detection. In most cases, the instrumented range is equal to the largest possible scale that can be set on the displays.

An instrumented range is determined by construction based on three conditions:

The instrumented range should therefore be technically dimensioned somewhat larger than these conditions specify. In addition, other conditions may also act.

For example, in the case of a maritime surface surveillance radar, its maximum range is limited by the curvature of the earth to a so-called radar horizon. Depending on the antenna height of the radar, this corresponds to about 40 NM or about 74 km. More would simply be unnecessary, so all other conditions (transmission power, receiving time) can be adapted to this distance.