Lecture 1 Overview, found out what we already know about radars. Talked about the definition of decibel (dB) and the confusion surrounding it. Lecture 2 Discussed superhetorodyne radio receiver principles. Then showed that the 'radio part' in 'Radar' is an instance of a superheterodyne receiver. (Schematic) Lecture 3 Reinforced previously covered work. Then looked at what a direction coupler is, and where one would use it in a radar. (Handout) Lecture 4 Looked at what a circulator is, and explored an important microwave energy source: the magnetron. Looked at block diagram of a complete pulse radar. (Lecture, Handout) Lecture 4 Examined common terminology and equations related to pulse radars: dead zone, PRF, PRI, ... Looked at what a matched filter is, radar range equation. (Equation Cheat Sheet) Lecture 5 Talked about general antenna concepts: purpose, cost, wind-load, gain, directivity, polar diagrams, beamwidth, ... Handed out a sheet with photographs of various parabolic antennas. (Handout) Lecture 6 Discussed antenna formulas and worked some examples. Lecture 7 Derived and discussed radar equation for point targets. (Handout) Lecture 8 Derived and discussed radar equation for distributed targets. (Handout) Lecture 9 Rayleigh and Mie Scattering, radar reflectivity (Handout) Lecture 10 Drop size distributions, radar reflectivity factor, disdrometers. (Handout) Midterm Spring Break Fun in Florida Lecture 11 Discussed midterm exam. Discussed z, Z, dBZ, Z-R relationships and Marshall-Palmer Z-R. (Handout) Lecture 12 Pulse Doppler Radar I (Handout) Lecture 13 Pulse Doppler Radar II (Handout) Field Trip Visit Davenport NEXRAD (Trip Photo Album) Lecture 14 CW and FM CW radar (Handout) Lecture 15 CW and FM CW radar (PowerPoint guest lecture) Lecture 16 Phased Array Antennas (Handout) Lecture 17 Ground Penetrating Radars (Handout) Lecture 18 Propagation of Radio Raves I - Forward Scattering (Handout) Lecture 19 Propagation of Radio Waves I - More Forward Scattering (Handout) Lecture 20 Propagation of Radio Waves II - Refraction (Handout) Lecture 21 Propagation of Radio Waves II - Attenuation (Handout) Last updated: 05/04/2004
