What is the term for the ability to distinguish between the same targets but different bearing?

What is the term for the ability to distinguish between the same targets but different bearing?

• A. Range resolution
• B. Angular resolution
• C. Doppler resolution
• D. Temporal resolution

Answer: (A)

Angular resolution is the radar’s ability to separate two targets that lie at the same distance but in different directions. When two objects share the same range, you must distinguish them by their bearing, which depends on how narrow the radar beam is. A smaller beamwidth—achieved with a larger antenna or a phased/synthetic aperture—lets you resolve finer angular separations. If the angular separation exceeds the beamwidth, you’ll see two distinct echoes; if it’s smaller, they blend into one. For contrast, range resolution deals with distinguishing targets at different distances, Doppler resolution with differences in velocity (via Doppler shift), and temporal resolution with how frequently the radar updates.

Angular resolution is the radar’s ability to separate two targets that lie at the same distance but in different directions. When two objects share the same range, you must distinguish them by their bearing, which depends on how narrow the radar beam is. A smaller beamwidth—achieved with a larger antenna or a phased/synthetic aperture—lets you resolve finer angular separations. If the angular separation exceeds the beamwidth, you’ll see two distinct echoes; if it’s smaller, they blend into one. For contrast, range resolution deals with distinguishing targets at different distances, Doppler resolution with differences in velocity (via Doppler shift), and temporal resolution with how frequently the radar updates.