Which radar system design is most commonly used in radar technology?

The pulse system is the most commonly used design in radar technology due to its effectiveness in long-range detection and the ability to provide detailed information about the target's distance, speed, and direction. In a pulse radar system, short bursts of signal (or pulses) are transmitted, with periods of silence in between. This allows the system to determine the time it takes for the echoes of the transmitted pulses to return after bouncing off a target, thereby calculating the distance to the target.

Pulse systems are generally favored because they can operate in a variety of conditions, including adverse weather and varying ranges, making them versatile for applications in air traffic control, military operations, and weather monitoring. Furthermore, the energy from each pulse can be focused, allowing for improved resolution and the ability to detect small or fast-moving objects.

In contrast, continuous wave systems transmit signals continuously rather than in pulses, limiting their ability to measure distance but excelling in measuring the speed of moving targets. Frequency modulated systems, while beneficial for certain applications, utilize a different method that is not as widely applied as pulse systems. Digital signal processing systems fundamentally enhance the capabilities of radar but are not a radar design in and of themselves; rather, they are a method of improving signal analysis and processing in