Radar Set AN/PPS-6

May 022006

Radar Set AN/PPS-6 is a lightweight non-coherent pulse Doppler combat surveillance radar operating in the X band between 9.0-9.5 GHz. When set up on its tripod, it allows the operator to detect moving objects at ranges of up to 1,500 meters (people) or 3000 meters (vehicles). The operator can measure the target range with a resolution of 50 meters. Transmitted RF power is generated by a magnetron tube, and the receiver local oscillator uses a klystron tube. It transmits pulses at a rate of about 2,000 pulses per second with a peak power of at least 100W and a width of 0.22-0.30 microseconds. An azimuth motor allows automatic scanning, and the motor may be disengaged for manual aiming. There is no display screen; the operator listens for the returned Doppler-shifted tone in the headphones, and reads out range on a mechanical counter after dialing in the range gate with a hand crank. The antenna is a 12 inch diameter truncated parabolic dish. The set operates either from an internal 12V silver-zinc rechargeable battery or an external 12VDC source.

Pictures

Specifications

General

Personnel Detection Range (0.5m² target)	50 to 1500 meters
Vehicle Detection Range (10m² target)	50 to 3000 meters
Range Accuracy	±25 meters
Range Resolution	50 meters
Range Gate Width	45 meters
Azimuth Coverage	0 to 6400 mils (clockwise and counterclockwise)
Azimuth Accuracy	±18 mils
Azimuth Resolution	155 mils
Automatic Area Search	A 315m or 600m range depth is scanned in an azimuth range of 600, 900 or 1200 mils.
Elevation Coverage	+400 mils to -600 mils
Elevation Accuracy	±18 mils

Transmitting System

Frequency Range	9.0 to 9.5 GHz
Pulse Rate	1800-2200 pulses per second
Peak Power	100W min.
Pulse Width	0.22 to 0.30μs
RF Power Source	Magnetron, Varian BLM-003

Antenna System

Transmission Line	Section of RG-52/U waveguide equipped with a choke-type input flange
Radiating Element	Slotted waveguide
Reflector	Truncated parabolic, 12″ diameter
Antenna Gain	24.5dB min.
E-plane Beamwidth (3dB point)	approx. 7°
H-plane Beamwidth (3dB point)	approx. 8°
Sidelobes	Not less than 13dB attenuation

Receiving System

Type	Superheterodyne
Operating Frequency	9.0 to 9.5GHz (tunable)
Local Oscillator Tube Type	Klystron, Varian VA203B
Local Oscillator Frequency	30MHz below magnetron frequency
Crystal Protection	Solid-state limiter
Intermediate Frequency	30MHz ±2MHz
Intermediate Frequency Bandwidth	6.3MHz ±0.6MHz at 3dB points
Intermediate Frequency Gain	80dB min.
Intermediate Frequency Manual Gain Control	40dB min.
Audio Bandwidth	26 to 1000Hz
Minimum Discernible Signal (MDS)	-95dBm

Indicating System

Headset	Aural detection and identification
Test Meter	Visual indicator
Range Indicator (mechanical counter)	Range readout in meters
Elevation Indicator (dial)	Elevation angle readout in mils
Azimuth Indicator (dial)	Direct azimuth reading in mils (0-6400)

Antenna Positioning System

Azimuth Drive System	Sector scan motor, 2200RPM reduced through gearing to approx. 3RPM
Automatic Sector Scan Area	300, 450 or 600 mils left and right of a predetermined position set by the sector scan ring
Manual Sector Scan Area	Manual scanning performed by operator from 0-6400 mils
Azimuth Scan Rate	58 mils/second nominal
Azimuth Scan Motor	12VDC permanent magnet gearhead motor
Elevation	Manual tilt, +400 to -600 mils

Power Source

Type	Self-contained 12V silver-zinc battery or external 12VDC source
Power	15.7W max. at 12VDC input