Menu
Macron's R&D

New Start 2023

Macron's R&D

New Start 2023

Wave Radar System

The Wave Radar System has been designed to measure wave properties at relatively short range. It operates at Ku-band coherently, and it utilizes high resolution for best sensitivity in the wave measurements and pulse compression waveforms to minimize the peak power. The measurements are based on the backscatter of radar energy from the ocean surface (sea clutter), and the system measures and displays all the essential wave field parameters such as significant wave height, peak wave period, wave length, and peak wave direction.

Wave Radar System

The Wave Radar System has been designed to measure wave properties at relatively short range. It operates at Ku-band coherently, and it utilizes high resolution for best sensitivity in the wave measurements and pulse compression waveforms to minimize the peak power. The measurements are based on the backscatter of radar energy from the ocean surface (sea clutter), and the system measures and displays all the essential wave field parameters such as significant wave height, peak wave period, wave length, and peak wave direction.
Radar System Parameters
Radar System Parameters
Frequency17.35 – 17.75 GHz, Tunable
Power (Solid State)1.6 W Peak, 0.4 W Average
Range Resolution4 m (Short-Range Mode)
AntennaSlotted Waveguide, 40 x 9 cm
PolarizationVertical
Gain28 dB (minimum)
Sidelobes-18 dB (minimum)
Beamwidth2.8° (azimuth) x 15° (elevation) in center of band
Azimuth Resolution2.0° (70% of one-way beamwidth)
RadomeAcrylic Cylinder, 40 cm diameter, 25 cm high, 4.8 mm thick
Antenna Rotation15 rpm (nominal, programmable for 10 – 24 rpm)
CPI28 ms (nominal, depends on rotation rate)
Doppler Resolution50 Hz (nominal, depends on CPI)
Motion Resolution0.4 m/s (nominal, depends on CPI)
Range ScalesShort (80 m – 2 km), Medium (160 m – 4 km), Long (320 m – 8 km)
Range Resolution4 m (Short Range), 8 m (Medium Range), 16 m (Long Range)
Wave FormLinear-FM, 50 MHz Sweep (Short-range Mode)
Wave DataHs (m), Tp (s), Wave Length (m), Wave Direction (°), Hmax (m)