Course detail

Radars and Navigation Systems

FEKT-NRARAcad. year: 2015/2016

Students will be introduced to the definition of the radiolocation, and elementary types of radars and their characteristics. Characteristics of targets, radar equation, and radiation patterns of radar antennas are studied in the next part of course. Students familiarize with effects of the electromagnetic wave propagation on the radar measurement, methods of space scanning, and radar signal processing. Technology of pulse and continuous radars and their block diagrams and characteristics will be described in the follow part. Students will be introduced to applications of modern radar systems - surveillance radars, over the horizon radars, collision avoidance radars, and ground-penetrating radars in the conclusion of training concerning on radar systems. Fundamentals of navigation theory, instruments and calculations are lectured in the beginning of navigation theory part of course. Students will be initiated to AM, PM, FM and IM navigation systems. The air navigation services of a long distance flight, instrument landing, and VOR, ILS, MLS, and DME systems are indivisible part of course. The last part of course is devoted to global navigation satellite systems - GPS-NAVSTAR, GALILEO, GLONASS, BEIDOU, QZSS. The application satellite navigation systems and architectures of GNSS receivers will be presented in the final part of course. Course is supplemented by laboratory a computer practices and field trip to ATC department in Brno Airport or to radar companies.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The graduate is able (1) to analyze a solution of radar systems including radar signal processing, (2) to analyze a solution of navigation systems including navigation signal processing, (3) and to apply GNSS in real systems.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Bachelor degree level is requested, also knowledge of radiofrequency techniques, microwaves, and advanced signal processing is recommended.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teachning methods include lectures, computer laboratories and practical laboratories. All learning matters are published in open www pages.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students can obtain up to 20 points for the activity in computer practices, 20 points for the activity in laboratory practices, and 60 points (maximally) for final oral exam.

Course curriculum

1. Definition of the radiolocation, radar classification and their applications, radar parameters, radar frequencies, primary radar block diagram
2. Detection of radar signal in noise, detection probability, target characteristics, radar cross section, effects of clutter
3. Radar equation, propagation of radar waves, radar antennas, beamforming techniques, space scanning
4. Radar hardware, RF power sources, radar receivers, duplexers, phase shifters for antenna arrays, signal processors, displays for radars
5. Radar signals, moving target effects, ambiguity function, moving target indication methods, synthetic aperture radars, radar information distribution
6. Radar applications, marine radars, air surveillance radars, collision avoidance radar, over the horizon radar, radar sensors, meteorological radars, altimeters, ground-penetrating radars
7. Passive radars, direction of arrival method, time difference of arrival method, military applications, radio astronomy, RFID systems.
8. Fundamentals of navigation theory, instruments and computing methods, maps and their projections, world geodetic systems, AM,PM, FM and IM navigation systems
9. Air traffic control systems, instrument landing, NDB, VOR, ILS, MLS
10. Fundamentals of global navigation satellite systems, GPS-NAVSTAR, GALILEO, GLONASS, BEIDOU, QZSS
11. Architectures of GNSS receivers, algorithms for time and position calculation, communication interface
12. Augmented GNSS, GNSS applications, system solutions
13. Field trip to ATC department (Brno airport) or to RAMET Kunovice, ERA Pardubice or ELDIS Pardubice

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The course is aimed to familiarize students with modern radar and navigation systems, with theory of radars, and with navigation methods based on electronic instruments.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Evaluation of activities is specified by a regulation, which is issued by the lecturer responsible for the course annually.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

SKOLNIK, M. I. Introduction to Radar Systems. 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill, 2001. (EN)
KAPLAN, E. D., HEGARTY, C. J. Understanding GPS Principles and Applications. 2nd ed. Artech House, 2006. (EN)

Recommended reading

RICHARDS, M. A. Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing. 1st ed. McGraw-Hill, 2005. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EEKR-MN Master's

    branch MN-EST , 2. year of study, winter semester, optional specialized

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Definition of the radiolocation, radar classification and their applications, radar parameters, radar frequencies, primary radar block diagram.
2. Detection of radar signal in noise, detection probability, target characteristics, radar cross section, effects of clutters.
3. Radar equation, propagation of radar waves, radar antennas, beamforming techniques, space scanning.
4. Radar hardware, RF power sources, radar receivers, duplexers, phase shifters for antenna arrays, signal processors, displays for radars.
5. Radar signals, moving target effects, ambiguity function, moving target indication methods, synthetic aperture radars, radar information distribution.
6. Radar applications, marine radars, air surveillance radars, collision avoidance radar, over the horizon radar, radar sensors, meteorological radars, altimeters, ground-penetrating radars.
7. Passive radars, direction of arrival method, time difference of arrival method, military applications, radio astronomy, RFID systems.
8. Fundamentals of navigation theory, instruments and computing methods, maps and their projections, world geodetic systems, AM,PM, FM and IM navigation systems.
9. Air traffic control systems, instrument landing, NDB, VOR, ILS, MLS.
10. Fundamentals of global navigation satellite systems, GPS-NAVSTAR, GALILEO, GLONASS, BEIDOU, QZSS.
11. Architectures of GNSS receivers, algorithms for time and position calculation, communication interface.
12. Augmented GNSS, GNSS applications, system solutions.
13. Field trip to ATC department (Brno airport) or to RAMET Kunovice, ERA Pardubice or ELDIS Pardubice.

Exercise in computer lab

10 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Radar equation, signal propagation, range computing (Matlab).
2. Radar signals, detection, ambiguity function (Matlab).
3. Antenna phase arrays, beamforming (Matlab).
4. GPS signal processing, position calculation (Matlab).
5. GPS receiver front-end design (Ansoft Designer).

Laboratory exercise

10 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. CW radar, methods for moving targets measurements.
2. FMCW radar, range to targets measurements.
3. Secondary surveillance radar, SSR signal reception and processing.
4. RFID, UHF band standards, characteristics of tags measurement.
5. GPS receivers a their application for position measurement.

The other activities

6 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Field trip to ATC department (Brno airport) or to RAMET Kunovice, ERA Pardubice or ELDIS Pardubice.