How does antenna gain affect radar range?

Antenna gain plays a crucial role in determining the radar range by amplifying the strength of the signal transmitted and effectively focusing the energy in a specific direction. Higher antenna gain results in a more concentrated beam, which enhances the signal's power in that direction, allowing the radar system to better detect distant targets.

When the antenna gain is increased, the received signal from a target becomes stronger compared to the background noise, improving the likelihood of detection at greater distances. This is particularly important in radar systems, where distinguishing signals from distant objects is reliant on the strength and clarity of the returned echoes. Consequently, a radar system with higher antenna gain can reach farther into the environment, successfully detecting targets that would be missed by a system with lower gain.

The other options do not accurately reflect the relationship between antenna gain and radar capability, as the increase in gain directly correlates with improved detection range rather than reducing range, having no effect, or affecting data processing speed.