PC3200 Survey of Electromagnetic Sensors and Detection

A survey of the physics of active and passive electromagnetic sensor technologies and detection methods used in surface, air, space, and undersea warfare. Topics include basic radiometry; detector figures of merit and noise characteristics; types of visible and infrared detectors; radar basics, including modes of detection, range resolution, target cross-sections, and the range equation; and magnetometry basics and detectors. Applications of these topics to combat systems will be discussed, including optical and thermal imaging, heat signatures, magnetic signatures, night vision, target/background discrimination, and missile seekers.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Identify the types of electromagnetic (EM) radiation and corresponding sensors used on naval platforms
• Understand the physical mechanisms of detection for optical, infrared, and thermal sensors
• Understand noise mechanisms and performance metrics of photodetectors
• Understand the trade-offs between detector signal-to-noise ratio and speed
• Understand how different spectral regions of the EM spectrum can be exploited
• Identify the sources for and estimate the strength of magnetic signatures
• Describe the tradeoffs in radar system design and performance
• Understand the concept of radar cross section