Raymarine's Quantum radar is based on dual technology. It is a Doppler system, but with the added benefit of a high-powered emission for a short period of time. Doppler radars are interesting because they are lighter and consume less electricity. With very good short-range discrimination, they don't offer much range.
Doppler for short-range discernment
Doppler radar sends out echoes on different frequencies, a sweep. The elements in front of it have a different resonance which allows the radar to discriminate between objects. For example, a boat next to a buoy will materialize as a large "patty" on a magnetron radar. With a Doppler radar, the boat and the buoy will not have the same resonance and will be displayed as two different objects.
To see further
Although Doppler radars perform very well at close range, their big drawback is that they do not see "far". By adding a strong pulse, from time to time, the Quantum radar increases its range and offers a distant vision. The characteristics of the radar announces a range of 24 miles.
Moving Targets
Reading a radar image is not obvious. To increase safety, Quantum (in its version 2) allows moving targets to be materialized with different colors. The Doppler technology by analyzing frequencies is able to know if a target is approaching or moving away. For incoming or approaching targets, the frequency increases because the leading edge of the return echoes is received more often as the target gets closer. For outgoing or moving targets, the frequency drops because the return echoes are spaced further apart as their distance increases. With this analysis, targets that are getting closer are shown in red and targets that are getting further away are shown in green.
Dangerous Targets
Quantum radar is also capable of determining which fixed targets are potentially dangerous on our route. In a cone 15° by about 200 m forward, it will color targets red (even if they are fixed) just to wake up our attention. This cone is virtual, invisible to the user, but ensures continuous vigilance and safety.
Automatic ARPA standby
The Quantum 2 has an automatic target acquisition and tracking system. The user configures a safety zone (often in front of the boat) and the radar warns when an object enters the zone and automatically starts contact tracking, its trajectory, its speed, the closest point of approach, etc. The object's "wake" (if it is moving) also remains on the screen to give a good idea of its trajectory.
Quantum version 2 available
The Quantum 2 radar antenna is available at 2454 euros (incl. VAT). It can be connected to a screen via a network cable or Wifi. A very appreciated solution in case of restoration of a boat, it avoids having to pull a cable behind the fittings in place.
