`psi_g = sin^(-1) (h/R)`

Enter a value for all fields

The Grazing Angle calculator computes the angle above the horizon to a radar antenna.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (R)  This is the range to the radar.
• (h)  This is the height of the radar.

Grazing Angle (ψ):" The calculator return the grazing angle in degrees.  However this can be automatically converted to other angle units via the pull-down menu.  To compute the Grazing Angle considering the curvature of the Earth, CLICK HERE.

The Math / Science

 The formula for the grazing angle is:

   `ψ_g = sin^(-1) (h/R)`

where:

• ψ_g = grazing angle
• R = range to radar
• h = height of radar

The Grazing Angle equation^{Signal-to-Noise of a Synthetic Aperture Radar.}

Radar Calculators

• SNR Gain Due to Azimuth Processing (coherent pulse integration)
• SNR Gain Due to Range Processing (pulse compression)
• Target Radar Cross Section
• Monostatic SAR Transmitter Antenna Gain Factor
• Radar Atmospheric Loss
• SAR Duty Factor
• Grazing Angle
• Slant Range
• Slant Range (Beta Angle)

3D Vector Calculator Functions

• k V - scalar multiplication
• V / |V| - Computes the Unit Vector
• |V| - Computes the magnitude of a vector
• U + V - Vector addition
• U - V - Vector subtraction
• |U - V| - Distance between vector endpoints.
• |U + V| - Magnitude of vector sum.
• V • U - Computes the dot product of two vectors
• V x U - Computes the cross product of two vectors
• Vector Angle - Computes the angle between two vectors
• Vector Area - Computes the area between two vectors
• Vector Projection - Compute the vector projection of V onto U.
• Vector Rotation - Compute the result vector after rotating around an axis.
• (ρ, θ, φ) to (x,y,z) - Spherical to Cartesian coordinates
• (x,y,z) to (ρ, θ, φ) - Cartesian to Spherical coordinates
• (r, θ, z) to (x,y,z) - Cylindrical to Cartesian coordinates
• (x,y,z) to (r, θ, z) - Cartesian to Cylindrical coordinates

1. ^ Performance Limits for Synthetic Aperture Radar - Second Edition.  Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM.  Printed February 2006.