Monitoring ship traffic using oceanographic WERA high-frequency radar

摘要

High frequency radar High frequency (HF) radar, which is based on surface electromagnetic wave propagation, provides a unique capability to detect targets far beyond the conventional microwave radar coverage. HF radars use the frequency band of 3-30 MHz to provide a large coverage that could extend to 200NM in range. This large range of values is of great interest, and appears as a consequence of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established 200NM as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Regular maritime surveillance of activity within a nation's EEZ is a key question in protecting national security. HF radar systems recently became an operational tool in coastal monitoring worldwide for many applications including ship detection, tracking, and guidance; as well as search and rescue, distribution of pollutants, fishery and research in oceanography.