3D radar
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3D radar provides for radar coverage on three dimensions unlike the more common 2D radar. While the normal 2D radar provides range and azimuth, the 3D radar provides elevation information with range and azimuth. Applications include weather forecasting, defense and surveillance.
[edit] 3D Radar Techniques
Steared Beam radars stear a narrow beam through a scan patter to build a 3D picture. Examples include NEXRAD doppler weather radar (which uses a parabolic dish) and the SPY phased-array radar employed by the Aegis class of missile cruiser.
Stacked Beam radars emit and/or receive multiple beams of radio waves at two or more elevation angles. By comparing the relative strengths of the returns from each beam, the elevation of the target can be deduced.
Figure 1: Diagram of a typical 2D-Radar the rotating cosecant squared antenna pattern
Figure 2: Diagram of a typical 3D-Radar, a judicial mix of vertical electronic beam steering and mechanically horizontal movement of a pencil-beam
