User's Manual

Houston Radar PD420 User Manual
Page 25 of 46
Optimal Performance Checklist
 Radar should be not used in enclosure that would block microwave radiation, e.g.
metal case. Some plastic and glass enclosures may too degrade the performance.
 Tunnel and under overpass locations should be avoided.
 The radar should be rigidly mounted to minimize wind action.
 Radar should be pointed across the direction of traffic (side-firing) so that the side
of passing vehicle is visible to the radar and vertical angle adjusted to cover all
configured lanes.
 Radar should be mounted high enough to “see” over the top of the highest
expected target. At least 17 feet of height is recommended in case of truck traffic.
This requirement increases as you try to detect far lanes.
 Operating mode of the radar (highway or intersection) must match intended
application.
 Appropriate background clutter compensation time constant must be selected and
clutter map initialized.
 Lanes should be configured and stored in the radar.
Illustration of PD420 in side-firing intersection
mode with maximum depth of view.
Illustration of rotated PD420 in side-firing
intersection mode with maximum width of
view.