Monopulse radar

Monopulse radar is a <a href="/facts/Radar/jk9BTbFA">radar</a> system that uses additional encoding of the <a href="/facts/Radio/XFr909M2">radio</a> signal to provide accurate directional information. The name refers to its ability to extract range and direction from a single signal pulse.
Monopulse radar avoids problems seen in <a href="/facts/Conical_scanning/gxV612vh">conical scanning</a> radar systems, which can be confused by rapid changes in <a href="/facts/Signal_strength/7DwVuERF">signal strength</a>. The system also makes <a href="/facts/Electronic_warfare/c6XGz9y0">jamming</a> more difficult. Most radars designed since the 1960s are monopulse systems. The monopulse method is also used in passive systems, such as <a href="/facts/Electronic_support_measures/ClAT0G7x">electronic support measures</a> and <a href="/facts/Radio_astronomy/TdjF4LgL">radio astronomy</a>. Monopulse radar systems can be constructed with <a href="/facts/Reflector_(antenna)/MT7XGLvs"> reflector antennas</a>, <a href="/facts/Lens_antenna/eBR0jAkG"> lens antennas</a> or <a href="/facts/Array_antennas/HYRcdJsm">array antennas</a>. 
Historically, monopulse systems have been classified as either <a href="/facts/Phase-comparison_monopulse/ICuTj9fl">phase-comparison monopulse</a> or <a href="/facts/Amplitude_monopulse/emjAdrU3">amplitude monopulse</a>. Modern systems determine the direction from the monopulse ratio, which contain both amplitude and phase information. The monopulse method does not require that the measured signals are pulsed. The alternative name "simultaneous lobing" has therefore been suggested, but not popularized.

Monopulse radar open-in-new

Monopulse radar