Which component governs the duration of each emitted radar pulse?

Which component governs the duration of each emitted radar pulse?

• A. Antenna
• B. Modulator
• C. Power Supply
• D. Receiver

Answer: (B)

The pulse duration is set by the modulator, which acts as the gate that turns the transmitter on and off for a precise interval. This pulser or pulsed transmitter controls the RF envelope, so the length of each emitted pulse—the pulse width—depends on how long the modulator allows RF energy to flow. The antenna simply radiates whatever energy the transmitter supplies, and the power supply provides energy but doesn’t determine how long each pulse lasts. The receiver isn’t involved in the emission timing. So the modulator is the component that governs how long each radar pulse is emitted.

The pulse duration is set by the modulator, which acts as the gate that turns the transmitter on and off for a precise interval. This pulser or pulsed transmitter controls the RF envelope, so the length of each emitted pulse—the pulse width—depends on how long the modulator allows RF energy to flow. The antenna simply radiates whatever energy the transmitter supplies, and the power supply provides energy but doesn’t determine how long each pulse lasts. The receiver isn’t involved in the emission timing. So the modulator is the component that governs how long each radar pulse is emitted.