Course detail

Radars and Navigation Systems

FEKT-NRARAcad. year: 2011/2012

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 in ATC department in Brno Airport.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students become familiar with fundamentals of radar principles and navigation systems. They obtain theoretical and practical knowledge about principles, methods and applications of modern radar and navigation systems.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Student must pass all computer and laboratory practices. The field trip is optional. Final examination is oral.

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 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.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with modern radar and navigation systems, with theory of radars, and with instrument navigation methods.

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

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

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

Recommended reading

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

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EECC-MN Master's

    branch MN-EST , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective specialised

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., 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.

Laboratory exercise

10 hod., 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.

Exercise in computer lab

10 hod., 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).