PH4274 Physics of Combat Systems Radar

This interdisciplinary course explores the physics of radar and EW systems, highlighting the development of new capabilities (e.g., adaptive radar signal processing, ultra-wideband radar, coherent change detection, and jamming techniques). The characteristics and components of various practical radar systems are considered including transmitter, receiver, and arrays, as well as the limitations imposed by the operating environment. Scattering concepts are introduced and propagation phenomena are considered (such as target cross-section, polarization effects, and atmospheric absorption), as well as signal processing techniques to mitigate these effects and perform detection in complex environments. Several lectures will connect the course content with current defense technology, trends, efforts, and limitations in radar systems.

Prerequisite

Some background in electromagnetism and calculus is assumed.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

1

Course Learning Outcomes

• Understand the end-to-end radar system design (e.g., transmitter, receiver, amplifier etc.)
• Analyze system trade-offs and governing factors for range/azimuth resolution and swath width
• Understand the Radar Range Equation to analyze radar system performance in terms of SNR
• Estimate system losses and gains, as well as signal losses imposed by the operating environment
• Apply signal processing techniques (match filter, doppler filter, and synthetic aperture imaging)
• Process and analyze radar data to detect targets in the presence of SAR image artifacts
• Understand electronic warfare (EW) principles and strategies for different jamming modes