(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

Doppler Radar: Important Topics for UPSC Exams

What is Radar?

Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a device which uses electromagnetic waves in the microwaves region to detect location (range & direction), altitude, intensity and movement of moving and non-moving objects.

When the source and the signal are in relative motion to each other there is a change in the frequency observed by the observer. If they are moving closer frequency increases and vice versa.

Doppler radar is a specific radar that uses the Doppler principle to produce relative motion data about objects at a distance.

Also known as INDRA series of 2D Radars and developed by DRDO for the use of Airforce and the Army. Some have been even exported to Sri Lanka.
INDRA-1: Is low-level target detection mobile surveillance radar.
INDRA 2: Is a modified version of INDRA radar for ground controlled interception of targets. It uses pulse compression to detect low flying aircraft.

For improving weather forecasting services.
The DWR will help in rainfall estimation and detect thunderstorm, cyclones and other severe weather events within a radius of 400 km.
DWR has the equipment to measure rainfall intensity, wind shear and velocity and locate a storm centre and the direction of a tornado or gust front.
Based on Doppler principle the radar is designed to improve precision in long-range weather forecasting and surveillance using a parabolic dish antenna and a foam sandwich spherical radome.