Which aspect is critical when assessing radar performance?

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a fundamental measure of radar performance because it quantifies the ability of the radar system to distinguish the desired signal from background noise. A higher SNR indicates that the signal is significantly stronger than the noise, which enhances the likelihood of accurately detecting and interpreting targets. In radar systems, SNR directly influences the detection range, target resolution, and overall reliability of the radar data being acquired.

While factors such as signal frequency stability, transmitter power level, and antenna height are also important for ensuring optimal radar operation and system design, they do not affect performance in the same direct and measurable way as SNR does. For instance, transmitter power can impact the range of detection, but if the SNR is low, increasing power will have a limited impact on target detection capabilities. Hence, focusing on SNR is critical when evaluating how well a radar system can perform its intended functions.