Compatibility problems related with pulse-compression, solid-state marine radars

The better and better attention being paid to the primary resources (especially oil and raw materials) and the increasing environmental consciousness are among the main drivers of the growth of vessel traffic, also because sea shipping has a good delivery rate and affordable operating costs in comparison with other transport means. In such a frame, an effective and efficient vessel traffic requires tight control and adequate navigation aids in order to ensure safety, reduction of risks for the environment, as well as efficient, quick and comfortable navigation. This study deals with the evolution of the marine (navigation) radar systems from the point of view of the potential drawbacks due to the implementation of solid-state (SS) technology (and the subsequent pulse compression) in the incoming, new generation, SS marine radars. The authors found that the high duty cycle of these incoming SS marine radar sets will generate severe interference to all marine radar sets in visibility with a significant reduction, well below the international regulations, of their detection capability. Mitigation of these damaging effects is not an easy task, subject of further research.