When assessing target speed with moving RADAR, what can limit the detection range?

When assessing target speed with moving radar, the speed differential between the radar unit and the target vehicle plays a critical role in the effectiveness of detection. As radar systems calculate the speed of a target by analyzing the Doppler shift of the reflected radar waves, a smaller speed differential can complicate this process. When the target vehicle is moving at a speed close to that of the radar unit, the Doppler shift becomes less pronounced, making it more challenging for the radar to accurately detect and measure the speed of the target. This results in a limited detection range because the radar may struggle to distinguish between the speed of the radar unit and that of the target vehicle.

Additionally, while factors such as distance between vehicles, weather conditions, and signal strength may have an impact on radar operation, the speed differential directly affects the radar's ability to identify the target's speed accurately. Hence, understanding the significance of speed differential is key in explaining why it can limit detection range in moving radar operations.