In this article we consider forms of radar interference; causes; mitigation options and management for various types of radar.
Radar Interference Principles
Radars transmit and receive radio signals – analysing the received signal to determine the position of targets of interest – such as aircraft. Other physical entities can block and reflect the radar’s signals causing a reduction in the radar’s performance.
En-Route radar at Debden, Essex
Radar Types
The following types of radar can be affected by radar interference:
- Air Traffic Control Radar
- Surveillance Radar
- En-Route Radar
- Air Defence Radar
- Military Radar
- Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
- Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
- Meteorological Radar
- Marine Radar
- Precision Approach Radar
Causes of Radar Interference
Radar Interference can be caused by:
- Birds
- Insects
- Weather
- Waves
- Terrain
- Buildings
- Large structures and infrastructure
- Road Traffic
- Rail Traffic
- Shipping
- Cranes
- Wind Turbines
Radar Interference Types
Radar interference is caused by physical objects blocking and/or reflecting radar signals which results in the following forms of interference:
- False returns
- Clutter
- Desensitization
- Processor Overload
- Reflections
- Shadowing
Radar Interference – Buildings
Planned buildings can be objected to due to potential radar interference. This occurs typically when buildings are large and/or close to radar installations. Concerns typically relate to shadowing and reflections – often with Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR).
Reflections from a building can potentially result in genuine aircraft returns being plotted in the wrong place as a result of the building reflecting signals in a specular (mirror-like) way. Tall buildings can also prevent detection of low flying aircraft in their shadow.
These potential effects can often be mitigated by reconfiguring the radar.
Radar Interference – Wind Turbines
Planned wind turbines are often objected to due to potential radar interference. Most radar types can be affected – with objections being most common due to Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and meteorological radar.
Wind turbines are a particular issue because of their height and because the blade tips move at high speed (>100 km/h) meaning that they defeat systems that suppress detection of static objects.
Effects of wind turbines may be mitigated by optimising siting, modifying wind turbine design or modifying radar systems. Common mitigation solutions include radar blanking for smaller developments and radar in-fill solutions using an alternate unaffected radar.
Assessing Radar Interference
Radar Impact Assessments typically involve:
- Identifying the radar and the potential interference source
- Determining whether the interference source is in radar line of sight
- Determining the likely technical impact on the radar
- Determining the resulting operational impact
- Identifying mitigation solutions – if required
2 Comments
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I am a planning consultant working in the renewable energy sector (onshore wind turbines). The concept of radar blanking is well established in the North East of Scotland notwithstanding the introduction of the TPS-77 radar at RAF Buchan RRH. Recently and in addition to the requirement to provide the requisite radar blank for three 77.5 metre turbine in LOS of RAF Buchan RRH it has been suggested that the developer will have to provide a bond in the amount of £1,000,000 to indemnify the radar operator against any adverse impacts on the radar from the three turbines thus rendering the project completely non viable. Is this a common practice or one that you have experienced previously?
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Hi There,
Thanks for getting in touch. This is interesting, we have come across such requests in the past. I’d be happy to discuss your development in more detail, our office number is 01787 319 001.
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