525.648.81 - Introduction to Radar Systems

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites

525.414 Probability and Stochastic Processes for Engineers, 525.427 Digital Signal Processing, and a working knowledge of electromagnetics. Familiarity with MATLAB.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted on the Course Outline page. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Basic Radar Concepts and Applications
• Radar Range Equation
• RF Propagation
• Target and Clutter RCS
• Detection Theory
• Radar Transmitter
• Radar Receiver
• Radar Antennas
• Waveforms and Matched Filtering
• Pulsed Doppler
• Measurement Error & Tracking
• Synthetic Aperture Radar

Course Goals

To describe how radar systems generate, process and detect signals and to quantify how well those systems perform such tasks based on their specifications and operating conditions.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Explain how the temporal and spectral aspects of a radar signal can be used to make measurements, including target range and velocity, and how they affect the precision of those measurements.
• Derive the Radar Range Equation.
• Describe which parameters in the Radar Range Equation are fixed by radar design and operational choices and which parameters vary due to external factors.
• Describe how the Radar Range Equation can be use to predict the detection performance of a radar in terms of its maximum detection range, minimum detectable radar cross section, signal to noise ratio (SNR), and signal to clutter ratio (SCR).
• Determine the probably of detection for a given radar design and specific target in Gaussian noise.
• Illustrate the qualitative relationship between probability of detection (Pd) and range and between probability of detection (Pd) and false alarm rate (FAR).
• Explain and simulate the steps required to generate a waveform, transmit it out on a carrier frequency, propagate it to a known target at a fixed range, receive it, and detect it.

Textbooks

Richards, M. A., Scheer, J. A., & Holm, W. A. (Eds.). (2010). Principles of modern radar: Basic principles. Raleigh, NC: Scitech.

ISBN-10: 1891121529

ISBN-13: 978-1891121524

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore.

Other Materials & Online Resources

Recommended Text

• Skolnik, M. I. (2003). Introduction to radar systems. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
  • ISBN-10: 0072881380
  • ISBN-13: 978-0072881387

Additionally, any of the following texts or other texts that you may have from previous courses may be useful for this class if you find yourself struggling with specific skills:

• Oppenheim, A. V. & Schafer, R. W. (2010). Discrete-time signal processing. (3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: PrenticeHall.
  
  • ISBN-10: 0131988425
  • ISBN-13: 978-0131988422
• Papoulis, A. & Unnikrishna Pillai, S. (2002). Probability, random variables, and stochastic processes. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
  
  • ISBN-10: 0073660116
  • ISBN-13: 978-0073660110
    

Required Software

MATLAB

You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB with the Signal Processing Toolkit. The MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), participating in the group discussions (1 hour per week) and problem set assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).

This course will consist of three basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (Module Discussions) (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

You are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text, which consists of over 700 pages. The course will cover all topics in the text (e.g., radar range equation, target detection, signal propagation).

Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.

You will participate in a number of group discussions in this course. The due dates and requirements for posting to the discussion board will be outlined in the discussion instructions in each module. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for class discussions (i.e., Timeliness).

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with your group (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.

We will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, I/we will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

100–90 = A—Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].

89–80 = B—Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].

79–70 = C—Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].

<70 = F—Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed].

Assignments (40% of Final Grade Calculation)

The assignments in this course will include a variety of quantitative problem sets. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

Assignments are evaluated out of 100 points. The score will be based solely on the technical accuracy of the answers given for each question/problem, which must include a description of the calculations made and methods used. To receive partial points for technically incorrect answers, the student must show their reasoning of why certain equations were used or particular values assigned to the variables in the equations. Technically incorrect answers without any explanation to support them will result in no points.

Quantitative assignments are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of question is answered (20%)
2. Assumptions are clearly stated (20%)
3. Intermediate derivations and calculations are provided (25%)
4. Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated (25%)
5. Answer precision and units are appropriate (10%) Quantitative assignments are graded as follows:

100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; All intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

89–80 = B—All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; Some intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

79–70=C—Most parts of question are addressed; Assumptions are partially stated; Few intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is not technically correct but is indicated; Answer precision and units are indicated but inappropriate.

<70=F—Some parts of the question are addressed; Assumptions are not stated; Intermediate derivations and calculations are not provided; The answer is incorrect or missing; The answer precision and units are inappropriate or missing.

Exams (50% of Final Grade Calculation, combined from 25% for Midterm and 25% for Final)

The midterm exam will be available in Module 6 and the final exam will be available in the next-to- last Module. You will have one week to complete the exams and they will be due by 5PM exactly one week from their release. You may use the course text to complete the exams.

Each exam is worth 100 points. The score will be based solely on the technical accuracy of the answers given for each question/problem, which must include a description of the calculations made and methods used. To receive partial points for technically incorrect answers, you must show their reasoning of why certain equations were used or particular values assigned to the variables in the equations. Technically incorrect answers without any explanation to support them will result in no points.

The exams are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of question is answered (20%)
2. Writing quality and technical accuracy (30%) (Writing is expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards. That is, all assignments will be graded on grammar and style as well as content.)
3. Rationale for answer is provided (20%)
4. Examples are included to illustrate rationale (15%) (If a student does not have direct experience related to a particular question, then the student is to provide analogies versus examples.)
5. Outside references are included (15%) Exams are graded as follows:

100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].

89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].

79–70 = C—Majority of parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].

<70 = F—Some parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight displayed].

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. We will post grades approximately one week after assignment due dates.

Timely feedback on students' performance is an established learning tool, so we will endeavor to grade and return to you, as quickly as possible, all material that you submit. Assignments will normally be graded and returned via the website before the next assignment is due. If you do not receive a grade on homework that you have turned in, please ask of its whereabouts; it may need to be resubmitted.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

100–98 = A+

97–94 = A

93–90 = A−

89–87 = B+

86–83 = B

82–80 = B−

79–70 = C

<70 = F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.