How Does a Radar Detector Work?
Background
A radar detector, also known as a "fuzz buster," is an electronic device that makes a driver aware if a law enforcement official is detecting his speed. Police have been using speed detection devices since the 1950s. Radar detectors used by civilians started to become popular in the 1970s. The legality of radar detectors has been disputed over the years. It is illegal in some countries and remain illegal in Virginia, Washington D.C., and on military bases.
Radar
To understand how radar detection works, you must first understand the concept of radar. Radar was first developed during World War II. A radar system emits electromagnetic waves towards an object, the waves are then bounced off the object back to the receiving device. This method can be used to detect an objects' speed, direction and range. Since the development of radar, there have been inventions that prevent detections by radar, such as stealth aircraft and vehicles. A radar detection device only alerts the operator if he is being detected, it doesn't prevent the detection like a stealth.
Detecting the Signal
Radar detectors are similar to radio receivers that are in your car or home. Radio receivers pick up signals in AM and FM frequencies. Radar detectors find the frequencies that are used by police officials using radar guns. Once the radar detector finds a frequency being directed at your car, it signals the driver somehow, most likely by beeping. It is a simple technology. Although, as law enforcement agencies expand the frequencies to detect speed, companies need to produce more radar detectors.
Other Types of Speed Detection
Of course, law enforcement agencies are aware of radar detection technology and have sought out other ways to detect a speeding motorist. The latest way cops use to detect speed, is to use a laser gun. This type of gun fires hundreds of lasers at a car, the lasers then bounce back to the gun. By multiplying the speed of light by the time the lasers reach the gun, the speed of the car can be detected. This technology is called LIDAR, and is still not as popular as speed guns using radar because of the amount of equipment already in service.
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