Phased Array Radar

Course 284

 Request information about bringing this course to your site.

Summary

This three-day class provides participants with an introduction and in-depth overview of radar systems and phased array radars in particular. The three-day class covers a number of radar and phased array topics including basic concepts related to radar theory, design and principles of operation, radar waveforms, detection theory, radar cross section, search radar, phased array design and performance and an overview of many radar systems.

Learning objectives

Upon completing the course you will be able to:

  • Understand the concepts associated with radar systems, radar waveforms, and radar operation.
  • Understand the concepts associated with the design and implementation of phased array antennas.
  • Understand how to model and characterize radar system performance.
  • Understand how to size a radar system based on required performance requirements.

Target Audience

The course is well suited for those who require an understanding of radar systems and concepts related to phased arrays. Basic mathematical and computing skills are a prerequisite for this course. An electronics or electrical engineering background or equivalent practical experience is recommended but not required.

Outline

Day 1

Introduction
 • Radar Applications and Frequencies • Electromagnetic Wave Review/Polarization • Signal Detection and Thermal Noise • Probability Density Functions • Power and Energy • Basic Radar Waveform • Simplified Block Diagram of a Radar • Overview of Selected Radar Systems
Antenna Concepts and Terminology
 • Basic Antenna Performance Properties and Terminology • Directivity and Gain • Antenna Trade Space (Gain, Area, Beamwidth) • Antenna Types (Dipoles, Patches and Apertures) • Radar Antenna Types (Brief Overview)
Basic Concepts Related to Radar Theory, Design and Principles of Operation
 • The Radar Range Equation • Basic Radar Principles • Pulse Waveform • Range Unambiguous Radar • Unambiguous Pulsed-Doppler Radar (Blind Speed) • Pulse Doppler and MTI Radars (Overview)
Noise and the Search Radar Equations
 • Noise and System Temperature • Detectability Factor (Introduction) • Radar Range Equation and SNR • The Search Radar Equation • Maximum Detection Range • Radar Losses (Introduction) • Pulse Compression (Introduction) • Radar Sizing Software

Day 2

Radar Cross Section, Clutter and Propagation
 • Radar Cross Section (RCS) • Swerling Target Models • Clutter • Propagation Considerations
Detection Theory
 • The Ideal Receiver • Noise and Signal Probability Density Functions • Detectability Factor • Integration • False Alarm Relationships
Phased Array Theory, Concepts and Performance
 • Phased Array Architecture(Introduction) • Array Theory • Phased Array Trade Space: Element Count, Element Spacing, Array Beamwidth, Directivity and Gain, Beam Steering • Introduction to Digital Beam Forming and Time Delay • The Search Radar Range Equation • Computer Aided Phased Array Design • Planar Phased Array Examples
Radar Waveforms
 • The Matched Filter • MTI and Pulsed Doppler Radars • Pulse Compression and Associated Waveforms

Day 3

Phased Arrays Part 2
 • Phased Array Topics • Thinned Array • Subarrays • Errors • Measurement • Calibration • Phased Array Radar Hardware
Phased Array Search Radar Design
 • Overview of Selected Multifunction Radars • Review of Important Topics • Radar Design Trade Space • Radar Design Example