Question: Explain how it is possible for the horizontal resolution of a radar altimeter to exceed the limit set by diffraction at the antenna, provided that

Explain how it is possible for the horizontal resolution of a radar altimeter to exceed the limit set by diffraction at the antenna, provided that the pulse duration tpis short enough, and derive the result that the resolution is given by 2(cHtp)1/2, where c is the speed of light and H is the range to the surface. (Ignore any effects arising from the Earth€™s curvature.)
Hence show that the vertical resolution of a pulse-limited radar altimeter is given by


1/4 64Hp²


where v is the speed of the platform relative to the Earth€™s surface and pis the pulse repetition frequency. Estimate the best vertical resolution achievable from a space-borne radar altimeter if tp > 3 ns and p < 2 kHz.

1/4 64Hp

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