Radar and Surveillance — Definition

Definition

Radar uses radio waves and returned signals to obtain information such as range and radial motion. Surveillance involves repeated observation, often linking detections into tracks and using further evidence for classification or identification.

In simple pulsed ranging, the signal travels outward and back, so one-way range is half the propagation speed multiplied by round-trip time. Doppler information concerns motion along the line of sight, not necessarily an object's full speed.

A detected return or continuing track therefore supports a particular measurement, while identity and the interpretation of an event may require additional evidence and assessment.