Contemporary Topics in ECE 55:195, Spring 2006

Introduction to Principles and Applications of Radar

Lecture Summaries

Lecture 1 Overview, found out what we already know about radars. Talked about the definition of decibel (dB) and the confusion surrounding it. Discussed different application of radars.  (Handout)
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 Microwave components: waveguides & directional coupler. (Handout 1, Handout 2)
Lecture 4 Guest lecture by Dr. Marian Muste.
Lecture 5 Microwave components: circulators and magnetrons (Handout).  Looked at a diagram of a complete magnetron-based radar.
Lecture 6 Started a discussion on antennas.
Lecture 7 Continued previous lecture on antennas.  Worked a number of examples. (Handout)
Lecture 8 Derived radar equation for point targets, discussed radar cross sections.  (Handout)
Lecture 9 Derived radar equation for distributed targets, discussed radar reflectivity. (Handout)
Lecture 10 Discussed Raleigh, Mie, Optical scattering, introduced radar reflectivity factor. (Handout)
Midterm
Lecture 12 Radar reflectivity factor I, drop-size distributions or rain (Handout)
Lecture 13 Radar reflectivity factor II,  Z-R relationships, disdrometers, worked example (Handout). 
Spring Break
Lecture 14 Pulse Doppler Radar I (Handout)
Field Trip Pulse Doppler Radar II (Handout)
Lecture 15 Phased  Array Antennas (Handout)
Lecture 16 Ground Penetrating Radar guest lecture. (Lecture), (Handout).
Lecture 17 Ground Penetrating Radar (Handout)
Lecture 18 CW Radar (Handout)
Lecture 18 Tour of IIHR's experimental facilities at the Iowa City Airport
Lecture 19 Tour of NEXRAD site at Davenport Iowa
Lecture 20 Propagation of radio waves: forward scattering (Handout)
Lecture 21 Propagation of radio waves: refraction and attenuation (Handout)
Lecture 22 Review
Lecture 23 Review
Final  

Last updated: 04/27/2006