continuous wave radar

continuous wave radar (CW radar)

A radar that radiates continuously. Such a radar has two aerials—one for radiation of electromagnetic energy and one for its reception. For range measurement, the transmitted carrier is progressively frequency modulated, and the received frequency is then compared with the transmitted frequency. A CW radar is ideal for short-range work and can work from the zero range onward. Most continuous wave radars are Doppler radars.