Equations in the AESA Radar Calculators :

Basic Radar Equation :

𝑆 𝑃𝑚 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟 𝜆2 𝜎𝑇𝑑
=
𝑁 (4𝜋)3 𝑅4 𝑘𝑇0 𝐹𝐿𝐿𝑖
Following work in (1) Ch4. For active array with mean power of p of a single module, then the whole
array mean power can be notated with 𝑃𝑚 = 𝑝𝑁 Where N is number of the antenna modules while
the gain during transmitting and receiving is notated as follows :

𝐺𝑡 = 𝐺𝑟 = 𝜋𝑁
This is valid for a regularly spaced planar array in the broadside direction. For other directions and
other array distributions the proportionality holds for eq 4.46(1). Resulted with :

𝑆 𝑝𝑁 𝜋𝑁𝑡 𝜋𝑁𝑟 𝜆2 𝜎𝑇𝑑

=
𝑁 (4𝜋)3 𝑅4 𝑘𝑇0 𝐹𝐿𝐿𝑖
Where 𝑁𝑡 is Number of module that used for transmission while 𝑁𝑟 for receive.
Simplification can be made assuming same number of modules used during transmission and
reception, resulted with follows :

𝑆 𝑁 3 𝑝𝜋 2 𝜆2 𝜎𝑇𝑑
=
𝑁 (4𝜋)3 𝑅4 𝑘𝑇0 𝐹𝐿𝐿𝑖
Solving for range :

𝑁 3 𝑝𝜋 2 𝜆2 𝜎𝑇𝑑
4
𝑅=√
(4𝜋)3 (𝑆⁄𝑁) 𝑘𝑇0 𝐹𝐿𝐿𝑖
Yield the basic equation for an active array radar. Further modification however I consider as
necessary to ensure some accuracy and taking account of the dynamics of signal processing and losses
that might occur during operations (2). The specifics on additional factors taken account are as follows
:

• Use and calculations of real system temperature 𝑇𝑠 instead of assumed 𝑇0 of 290K.

• Use of Detectability factor 𝐷𝑥 (𝑛′ ) (basically S/N max) Thus “integrating” the miscellaneous
loss (𝐿) and integration loss (𝐿𝑖 ) into its calculation. The two loss factors the 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿𝑖 on
the previous equation remains but become one variable to calculate the detectability
factor.
• Addition of Path propagation factor to take account of multipath or propagation
phenomenon. This factor can be set to unity (1) to assume horizontal path with no multipath
phenomenon.
 • Addition of atmospheric loss to take account of propagation loss due to absorption of
radiowaves by atmosphere.

The modification then resulted with (current) final equation as follows :

𝑁 3 𝑝𝜋 2 𝜆2 𝜎𝑇𝑑 𝐹𝑝4
4
𝑅=√
(4𝜋)3 𝑘𝑇𝑠 𝐷𝑥 (𝑛′ )𝐹𝑛 𝐿𝑡 𝐿𝛼
With following notations :

𝑅: Radar detection range (Meter)

𝑁 : Number of TRM/Antenna modules
𝑝: Mean power of each TRM (Watt)
𝜆 :Operating wavelength of the radar (Meter)
𝜎: Target RCS (Square meters)
𝑇𝑑 :Dwell time of the radar (seconds)
𝐹𝑝4 : Path propagation factor for both receiving and
transmitting
𝑘 : Boltzman constant (1.38x10-23)J/k
𝑇𝑠 :System noise temperature (J/K)
𝐷𝑥 (𝑛′ ) :Target Detectability Factor (dB)
𝐹𝑛 : Noise Figure (dB)
𝐿𝑡 : Radar Transmit Loss (dB)
𝐿𝛼 : Atmospheric propagation loss (dB)

Further readings :
(1) Chapter 4 of Radar techniques using array antenna, by Wulf Dieter.
(2) Radar Equations for Modern Radar. By D.K.Barton.