3.7. Reflections

Water is a highly reflective surface for radar waves. Most of the transmitted radar energy is reflected from the water surface. Radar reflections follow the same basic physical principles as light reflection. When the radar beam reaches the water surface, a part of the energy is reflected away from the radar, a part of the energy is reflected back toward the radar, and only a small portion of the energy is absorbed by the water.

The amount of energy reflected back toward the radar depends mainly on the surface roughness of the water and the incident angle of the radar beam. As a general rule, a rougher water surface produces stronger reflections back toward the radar. This increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and improves measurement accuracy. Even a small surface roughness of approximately 1 mm is usually sufficient for precise measurement.

The Geolux surface velocity radar is designed with advanced signal processing techniques that allow accurate operation even in low SNR conditions.

Indoor installation is generally not recommended. Radar signals may reflect from walls, ceilings, moving machinery, or rotating objects. These reflections can cause incorrect readings or false velocity measurements. For reliable operation, the instrument should be installed in an open outdoor environment with a clear and unobstructed measurement area.