Documentation

Help & Documentation

Everything you need to get started with radar coverage simulation and RF propagation analysis. Quick start guides, feature reference, and answers to frequently asked questions.

New to radar coverage analysis? Start with the quick start guides below. For technical details on propagation models, see the Propagation Models Reference.

Quick Start

Quick Start Guides

Step-by-step guides to help you run your first radar coverage simulation and understand the key parameters.

01

Creating Your First Analysis

  1. 1Navigate to Quick Analysis or create a new Project
  2. 2Click on the map to place your radar
  3. 3Configure radar parameters (or select a preset)
  4. 4Select a target type (e.g., Person, Drone, Vehicle)
  5. 5Click 'Run Analysis' to generate coverage map
02

Understanding Radar Parameters

  1. 1Frequency: Higher = more atmospheric loss, narrower beams
  2. 2TX Power: More power = longer detection range
  3. 3Antenna Gain: Higher gain = narrower beam, longer range
  4. 4Beamwidth: Narrower = higher gain (auto-calculated option)
  5. 5System Loss: Account for cables, connectors, radome
03

Optimizing Coverage

  1. 1Position radar on high ground for better line-of-sight
  2. 2Increase antenna height to see over obstacles
  3. 3Use narrower beamwidth for longer range in specific sector
  4. 4Consider multiple radars for full 360° coverage
  5. 5Account for terrain masking in valley areas
04

Working with Terrain

  1. 1Enable terrain profile to visualize obstructions
  2. 2Check line-of-sight to specific points of interest
  3. 3Use Fresnel zone analysis for RF path clearance
  4. 4Consider building obstructions in urban areas
  5. 5Account for vegetation loss in forested regions
Capabilities

Feature Reference

Overview of all radar coverage simulation and analysis capabilities available in the platform.

Coverage Visualization

Core

Real-time radar coverage overlay on interactive map with adjustable opacity and color schemes.

Terrain Analysis

Core

Line-of-sight analysis using high-resolution elevation data with Fresnel zone calculations.

Multiple Propagation Models

Pro

Free Space, Two-Ray Ground Reflection, COST-231 Hata, Longley-Rice ITM, and ITU-R P.1812-6 for different scenarios.

Target Presets

Core

Pre-configured RCS values for common targets: drones, aircraft, vehicles, people, and maritime.

Radar Presets

Core

Built-in configurations for popular radar systems, plus save your own custom presets.

Export & Sharing

Pro

Export coverage data to GeoTIFF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, CSV, and PDF formats for use in other tools.

Datasheet Import

Pro

AI-powered extraction of radar parameters from manufacturer datasheets (PDF/images).

Environmental Effects

Pro

Model atmospheric attenuation, rain fade, and foliage loss for realistic predictions.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about radar coverage simulation, propagation models, terrain analysis, and using the platform.

What is radar coverage analysis?

Radar coverage analysis simulates how a radar system detects targets across terrain. It accounts for factors like radar power, antenna characteristics, target size (RCS), terrain elevation, and atmospheric conditions to predict where targets can be detected.

How accurate are the simulations?

Our simulations use industry-standard propagation models (Free Space, Two-Ray, COST-231 Hata, ITM/Longley-Rice, ITU-R P.1812-6) and real terrain elevation data. While results are suitable for planning and feasibility studies, real-world performance may vary due to factors like vegetation, buildings, and atmospheric conditions not fully modeled.

What terrain data sources are used?

We provide multiple terrain data sources: Mapbox (high resolution, global coverage), Google Elevation API (premium quality), and SRTM (standard 90m resolution, global). You can configure your preferred data source in Settings or per-analysis.

How do I interpret the coverage map colors?

The color gradient shows detection probability: Green (high probability, >80%), Yellow (moderate, 50-80%), Orange (low, 20-50%), Red (very low, <20%). Gray areas indicate no line-of-sight due to terrain obstruction.

What is RCS (Radar Cross Section)?

RCS measures how detectable a target is to radar, expressed in square meters (m²). A person has ~1 m², a small drone ~0.01 m², and a car ~15 m². Larger RCS = easier to detect at longer ranges.

Can I export my analysis results?

Yes! Pro users can export to multiple formats: GeoTIFF (georeferenced raster), KML/KMZ (Google Earth), GeoJSON (GIS systems), CSV (spreadsheet analysis), and PDF reports. Free tier supports CSV export only.

What's the difference between beamwidth and coverage sector?

Beamwidth is the antenna's instantaneous field of view (affects gain/range). Coverage sector is the total area monitored through scanning/rotation. A 2° beam rotating 360° covers all directions but only 'sees' 2° at any moment.

How do I place a radar on the map?

Click 'Add Radar (Click on Map)' in the Radar Config panel, then click anywhere on the map. You can also enter coordinates manually in the Position tab after placing.

Get Started

Ready to analyze?

Start your first radar coverage simulation in minutes. Five ITU-R propagation models, GPU-accelerated terrain analysis, professional export formats. Free to start.

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