Why is pulse width important in radar signals?

Pulse width is a critical parameter in radar systems that significantly affects the radar's ability to resolve multiple targets. A narrower pulse width allows the radar to more effectively distinguish between closely spaced targets because it provides a finer time resolution. This means that if two targets are close together in range, a shorter pulse can help the radar system differentiate between them more accurately.

In contrast, a longer pulse width can lead to ambiguity in detecting targets that are almost at the same distance since the radar might not be able to isolate their reflections effectively, resulting in reduced target resolution. Therefore, the ability to resolve multiple targets is fundamentally linked to pulse width, making it a crucial factor in the design and performance of radar systems.

The other factors mentioned in the question, while relevant to radar technology, do not directly discuss the resolution capability in the same way that pulse width does.