What percentage of radar signal power does the main lobe represent compared to side lobes?

• A. 90% vs 10%
• B. 85% vs 15%
• C. 80% vs 20%
• D. 75% vs 25%

Answer: (B)

The main lobe of a radar signal is the primary focus or direction of the emitted radar energy and represents the bulk of the signal's power. The percentage represented by the main lobe compared to side lobes reflects how effectively the radar can detect and measure speed without interference from signals that are scattered in different directions.

Option B, which states that the main lobe represents 85% of the total radar signal power while the side lobes account for 15%, aligns with commonly accepted radar principles. The main lobe is designed to concentrate the radar energy in a specific direction to maximize detection capabilities, while side lobes, which can pick up signals from non-target areas, generally have significantly less power.

This distribution is essential for understanding how radar technology operates in speed measurement, as a higher main lobe power ratio allows for more accurate readings and minimizes the potential for false readings due to unwanted interference from reflected signals from side lobes.