Chapter: 1. System Summary; Type Of Radar Bands - Furuno WR-2100 Installation Manual

1. System Summary
RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) developed during World War II as a method to detect the
presence of ships and aircraft (the military considered weather targets as noise). Since WWII, there
have been many advances in radar technology (e.g., Doppler techniques) and it's used on land, sea,
and in space for both research and operational needs.

1.1. Type of radar bands

There are several different categories according to the wavelength of using on radar in the world.
Type of bands are L, S, C, X, and K band.
L band radars: "L" for "long". This band is mostly used for clear air turbulence studies. It
S band radars: "S" for "short". It is not easily attenuated but useful for near and far/long range
C band radars: "C" for "compromise". The dish size does not need to be very large, so it is
X band radars: "X" came during XX2 for secret band. It uses smaller wavelength and it is more
K band radars: "K" for "kurz = short in German". This band is split down the middle due to a
operates on 15-30 cm wavelength and a frequency of 1-2 GHz.
weather observation. It operates on 8-15 cm wavelength and a frequency of 2-4
GHz. Some weather service uses it on a wavelength of just over 10 cm. The
drawback to this band of radar is that it requires a large antenna dish and a large
motor to power it. It is not uncommon for S band dish to exceed 7.62 m.
affordable for TV stations. It operates on 4-8 cm wavelength and a frequency of
4-8 GHz. It is best used for short range weather observation because of the
signal is more easily attenuated by dry weather and rain. The frequency allows C
band radars to create a smaller beam width using a smaller dish. C band radars
also do not require as much power as S band radar.
sensitive and can detect smaller particles. It operates on 2.5-4 cm wavelength
and a frequency of 8-12 GHz. These radars are used for studies on cloud
development because they can detect the tiny water particles and also used to
detect light precipitation such as snow. X band radars also attenuate very easily,
so they are used for only very short range weather observation. Also, due to the
small size of the radar, it can therefore be portable like the Doppler on Wheels.
Most major airplanes are equipped with X band radar to pick up turbulence and
other weather phenomenon.
strong absorption line in water vapor and it is similar to the X band but is just
more sensitive. It operates on 0.75-1.2 cm or 1.7-2.5 cm wavelength and a
corresponding frequency of 27-40 GHz and 12-18 GHz.
Figure 1: 3 general types of weather radar band
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