Immediately after the transmitter fires, sensitivity time control (STC) reduces the receiver gain to what level?

In radar systems, sensitivity time control (STC) is employed to manage the receiver's gain immediately after the transmitter fires. The purpose of STC is to mitigate the effects of strong echoes that may interfere with weak target signals. When the transmitter sends a pulse, the initial return signals can be very strong, so the STC reduces the receiver gain to maintain balance and avoid saturation.

Setting the receiver gain to zero after the transmitter fires ensures that these strong, immediate echoes do not overwhelm the system. By reducing the gain to zero, the radar can avoid false returns and properly process weaker signals that may arrive shortly after the initial pulse. This allows for a clearer and more accurate detection of distant targets that could be obscured by the strong signals. Therefore, the answer indicating a reduction to zero gain reflects the need for optimal signal processing during the critical moment right after transmission.