The rapid development of electronics and its engineering applications ensures that new topics are always competing for a place in university and polytechnic courses. But it is often difficult for lecturers to find suitable books for recom­ mendation to students, particularly when a topic is covered by a short lecture module, or as an 'option'. Macmillan New Electronics offers introductions to advanced topics. The level is generally that of second and subsequent years of undergraduate courses in electronic and electrical engineering, computer science and physics. Some of the authors will paint with a broad brush; others will concentrate on a narrower topic, and cover it in greater detail. But in all cases the titles in the Series will provide a sound basis for further reading of the specialist literature, and an up-to-date appreciation of practical applications and likely trends. The level, scope and approach of the Series should also appeal to practising engineers and scientists encountering an area of electronics for the first time, or needing a rapid and authoritative update. vii Preface The basic principles of radar do not change, but the design and technology of practical radar systems have developed rapidly in recent years. Advances in digital electronics and computing are having a major impact, especially in radar signal processing and display. I hope that this book will prove a useful introduction to such developments, as well as to the underlying principles of radar detection.