TEK9150 – Radar - Systems and Signal Processing

Course content

The course gives an introduction to how a radar functions, and especially to the digital signal processing used in modern systems. The most important processes for the radar’s performance will be covered, including propagation and reflection of electromagnetic radiation, the radar equation, waveforms, array antennas, Doppler processing, and detection theory. Through exercises using modern numerical tools, you will gain practical experience with numerical methods for digital signal processing and calculation of radar performance.

As a PhD candidate, you will in addition focus on one advanced topic within the radar field. Possible topics include passive radar, techniques for adaptive beamforming and advanced waveforms.

Learning outcome

After completing the course you will:

• Know how a radar is built and understand the principles of behavior.
• Have a basic understanding of how radar signals propagate through a medium, and the mechanisms for signal reflection from the target and unwanted reflections, known as "clutter".
• Understand the basic signal processing carried out in a radar.
• Be able to estimate the performance of a radar based on parameters provided, for example at what distance the radar will be able to detect targets of a given size.
• Be able to assess what type of radar is suitable for which task, that is, choice of waveforms, frequency bands, etc.
• Be able to use numerical tools to calculate radar performance and to simulate the signal processing in a radar.
• Have a thorough understanding of at least one area in the radar field and be and be able to pass this on to others having a basic understanding of radar.

Admission to the course

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is based on basic mathematics, including calculations with complex numbers, basic Fourier analysis and probability theory. The exercises are based on modern numerical tools, such as Python, MATLAB, Octave, IDL or similar, and students with no experience with at least one such tool must expect extra effort here.

Individual courses that provide useful background knowledge, but are not necessary in order to benefit from the course, are MAT1100 – Calculus, MAT1110 – Calculus and Linear Algebra, MAT-INF1100 – Modelling and Computations, INF1100 – Introduction to programming with scientific applications (continued) and FYS1120 – Electromagnetism.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with TEK5150 – Radar - Systems and Signal Processing (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with UNIK4361 – Radar - systems and signal processing (continued).
• 10 credits overlap with UNIK9361 – Radar - systems and signal processing (continued).
• 8 credits overlap with UNIK4360 – Radar (continued).
• 8 credits overlap with UNIK9360 – Radar (continued).

Teaching

The teaching includes 2 hours of teaching and 1 hour of exercises each week throughout the semester. The distribution of lectures and exercises may vary during the semester.

One mandatory assignment must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

As a PhD candidate you must do an additional assignment on a course subject, usually a subject chosen in collaboration with you. Normally you will give a presentation on this topic on the day of the final, oral exam. The grade will depend on both this presentation and your performance at the exam.

Examination

There will be held an oral exam at the end of the semester, which counts for 100% in the grade assessment. In case of many students, there may be held a written exam instead.

One mandatory exercise must approved in order to take the final exam.

As a Ph.D candidate you will in addition give a presentation of the additional topic that you have been assigned, usually on the day of the exam. The grade will depend on both this presentation and the oral exam.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed for the oral exam. If a written exam will be held, in case of a large number of students, an approved calculator (only in Norwegian) may be used.

Language of examination

Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.