Which component of the radar system serves as both a transmitter and receiver?

The antenna system serves as both a transmitter and receiver in radar systems, making it a crucial component in the operation of radar technology. During transmission, the antenna radiates electromagnetic waves toward a target, and these waves reflect off the target and return to the antenna. In this process, the antenna is responsible for both sending out the radar signals and receiving the echoes that signal the presence of objects.

The functionality of the antenna system is vital for the effective detection and ranging of targets. It is designed to optimize the transmission of signals and the reception of reflected signals, enabling the radar system to calculate the distance and speed of targets.

In contrast, a transmitter specifically generates the radar signals, while the receiver's role is to process the incoming data. A duplexer, on the other hand, is a device that allows the same antenna to be used for both transmitting and receiving, but it does not perform the function of sending or receiving signals; rather, it directs the signals appropriately. This distinction is why the antenna system is correctly identified as the component that serves both functions within the radar setup.