What does range resolution allow a radar system to do?

Range resolution is a critical concept in radar technology that refers to the system's ability to distinguish between two or more targets that are located at different distances from the radar. It determines how closely spaced two targets can be in range while still being detected as separate objects.

When a radar system emits pulses of energy, each pulse reflects off objects in its path, and the time it takes for these reflections to return to the radar is used to calculate the range of the targets. The finer the range resolution, the shorter the pulse length and the more distinct the individual echoes from multiple targets will be, allowing the radar to identify and track them separately.

This capability is crucial for applications where multiple targets may be close to each other along the same line of sight, such as in air traffic control or missile guidance systems, ensuring accuracy and safety in tracking.