Microwave and radar engineering is a great aspect of engineering. It involves the design and testing of microwave circuits, components and radar systems. The basic principles of microwave and radar engineering are usually applied to design and analysis in this field. Also, microwave and radar have made positive impacts in several applications.
Microwave and Radar Definition
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with frequency within the range of 1 GHz and 300 GHz. You can transmit microwaves as a beam signal in given directions since they have smaller wavelengths. Also, the path of microwaves remains the same when they collide with any object. Although microwaves can have a reflection from the object, their path remains the same. Due to this capability, microwaves are ideal for use in radar.
Radar means Radio Detection and Ranging. The radar system helps to detect the direction, presence, velocity, and distance of an object in motion. Also, this device can detect stable objects. The transmitter of a radar transmits the microwaves in every direction. The object reflects the microwaves and the microwaves are received. Therefore, radar is a good device for detecting an object.
Microwaves are commonly integrated in radars since they are capable of passing through an object. The microwaves’ frequency is between radio waves and infrared waves. The frequency’s range of microwaves can help in detecting fast-moving objects such as ships, aircraft, and rockets.
Furthermore, microwaves are useful in radar as they help in detecting objects such as missiles, ships underwater, and aircraft. The radar in ships transfers the microwaves in water to detect any motion under water.
What is Microwave and Radar Engineering?
From the above explanation, we understand that microwaves and radar work hand in hand. Microwaves are useful in the radar system due to the functions they offer. Microwave and radar engineering involves the design and testing of microwave circuits, components and radar systems. The basic principles of microwave and radar engineering are usually applied to design and analysis in this field.
Furthermore, microwave and radar engineering involves building and testing radar systems, microwave components. From the creation of complex formulas to selecting materials as well as components utilized in constructing microwave and radar, a microwave and radar engineer requires skills to carry out their responsibilities.
Radars are capable of powering different operations such as tracking and forecasting. Regardless of the function of the radar, radars require round-the-clock adjustment to function well. Therefore, as a microwave and radar engineer, you need the necessary skills and expertise to perform your task.
During the second world war, microwave engineering contributed to the development of radars which helped in locating planes and enemy shops. A microwave and radar engineer oversees team members in some specialties, Fixing technical bugs, and developing mathematical analytics are important tasks you have to carry out.
Microwave and radar engineering has become relevant in our world today. This is because the microwave and radar domain has moved into the commercial sector. Microwave and radar systems are not only useful to military technologies used in the 20th and 21st century.
Furthermore, digital communications and inexpensive components in the microwave and radar domain have helped to discover areas associated with this discipline. These areas include wireless radio, collision avoidance radar, and satellite.
What does a Microwave and Radar Engineer Do?
A microwave and radar engineer needs to undergo some training and must have a good knowledge of what microwave and radar engineering entails. This is because these engineers are usually saddled with a lot of responsibilities. As a microwave and radar engineer, you will be tasked with the responsibility of designing, manufacturing, and repairing microwave and radar devices. You may need to work with computer programs to work on some possible product designs and as well test these designs for quality and performance.
Also, you will have to work with a team to work on some project. A microwave and radar engineer monitors the microwave and radar system and works on theories to enhance their performance. These engineers need to undergo a program in microwave and radar engineering.
Radar engineers carry out tests on various combinations to be sure which would enhance the accuracy of the radar and which isn’t functional.
To become a microwave and radar engineer, you need to study a course in this field. There are different universities as well as colleges, which offer this course. Take for example, University of Massachusetts offers programs in microwave, remote sensing, and radar systems. Asides from acquiring educational qualification, a microwave and radar engineer must have problem solving skills, communication skills, and analytical skills.
Aside from getting a degree in microwave and radar engineering, it is important for microwave and radar engineers to need some basic skills like problem solving, effective communication, critical thinking, and leadership. Microwave and radar engineers are tasked with the responsibilities of solving complex problems.
Engineers need to be able to discover opportunities and create innovative ideas. Also, leadership is a crucial role for microwave and radar engineers as they would be working with a team.
Why is Microwave and Radar Engineering Important?
The microwave and radar technology is important in today’s world. It is responsible for a lot of development in various sectors. For instance, the radar system guides the transportation of clothing and gadgets at our ports. Microwave and radar engineering is a special field within electrical engineering. This engineering field deals with components and systems that operate in microwave and radar.
Radars can detect spacecraft, and as well track aircraft. They can measure the speed of automobiles and properties of the oceans. Microwaves are considered useful in radars because they offer high resolution of the target. This is possible due to the shorter wavelengths of microwaves. With shorter wavelengths, microwaves can bounce off in such a way that smaller aircrafts can easily detect them.
Different radars integrate different wavelengths in order to resolve various kinds of objects. Microwave and radar engineering play a crucial role in various applications. While a radar gun can send a burst of microwaves. Microwaves can be reflected from the oncoming vehicle and the receiver in the radar gun can detect the oncoming vehicle.
Microwave and radar engineering have helped in the development and testing of microwave and radar components. This field of engineering is crucial for the development of modern devices. The microwave and radar technology is a remote object detection system that images the ocean, space, and terrain to identify objects, forest, land cover, and more.
Applications of Radar
The radar technology has found its use in several applications. Below are applications of Radar:
Air traffic control
Radar is used in controlling air traffic around airports. For instance The Air Surveillance RADAR can identify and reveal the position of aircraft in the airport terminals. Furthermore, Radar guides aircraft on where to land during bad weather. With the help of the radar technology, it is easy to scan for ground vehicle and aircraft positions.
Space
Radar plays a crucial role in space. It guides space vehicle on how to land safely on the moon. Also, it helps in observing planetary systems. With Radar, you can monitor satellites and meteors.
Military
Radar is very useful in military applications. It is mainly used for the purpose of surveillance. With the surveillance radar, you can detect and locate enemy targets. Furthermore, the radar technology is integrated for supplying navigation aids to military and civil aircraft. Radar can help to control weapons and trace targets.
Remote sensing
Radar can observe planetary positions and as well monitor sea ice. This enables a good and smooth route for ships.
Applications of Microwave
Microwave is crucial in some applications as it plays vital roles. It is commonly used for wireless transmission. Also, it is suitable for use in radar systems since radar integrates microwave radiation to identify distance, range, and other properties of mobile broadband and sensing devices.
Another application of microwaves is in radio. In this case, microwaves broadcast and telecommunicates the transmission since their wavelength is very small. Also, microwaves have proved useful in telephones as they ensure long-distance communication.
Furthermore, a rare use case of microwaves is in the biomedical field. In this application, the microwave is used for LASER therapy and thermotherapy for the treatment of cancer cells. In the medical field, microwaves have been used for several treatments. The microwave technology has helped in the successful treatment of certain illnesses and diseases.
Microwave is also a great option for curing and drying products. The microwave oven is a household appliance used for food preparation. The microwave’s high energy rotates the molecules of sugar, fat, and water in the food. As a result of this rotation, there is friction. The friction causes heat generation.
Conclusion
Microwave and radar engineering is another field in the engineering sector. In this engineering field, professionals are needed. Microwave and radar engineering involves building and testing radar systems, microwave components. Also, microwave and radar engineering has become relevant in our world today. This is because the microwave and radar domain has moved into the commercial sector.
