Radar Transmitters, Receivers and T/R Modules

RDR 110 delves into the critical electronic components that form the backbone of modern radar systems. Beginning with an exploration of high-power vacuum tube-based transmitters, the course transitions to the intricate world of solid-state transmit/receive modules, emphasizing their operational characteristics, advantages, and system integration. Students will learn about various receiver architectures, including their essential building blocks like low-noise amplifiers, mixers, and signal processing concepts. The curriculum also covers the unique requirements and challenges of Doppler front-end designs, crucial for velocity and motion detection. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and practical laboratory exercises, technicians will gain the essential knowledge and skills required to understand, test, and troubleshoot these complex radar subsystems.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

RDR 101

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Introduction to Radar Systems and Subsystemslecture

02Lesson 2: Principles of High-Power Transmitter Operationlecture

03Lesson 3: High-Power Transmitter Component Technologieslecture

04Hands-on Lab: High-Power Transmitter Component Identification and Basic Measurementlab

05Lesson 5: Introduction to Solid-State Transmit/Receive (T/R) Moduleslecture

06Lesson 6: Architecture and Operation of Solid-State T/R Moduleslecture

07Lesson 7: Power Amplification and Switching within T/R Moduleslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Solid-State T/R Module Functionality and Test Pointslab

09Lesson 9: Radar Receiver Architectures and Componentslecture

10Lesson 10: Low-Noise Amplifiers, Mixers, and IF Stageslecture

11Hands-on Lab: Receiver Chain Analysis and Gain Measurementlab

12Lesson 12: Principles of Doppler Radar and Front-End Designlecture

13Lesson 13: Advanced Receiver Concepts and Signal Processing Interfaceslecture

14Capstone Service Project: Troubleshooting and Analysis of a Radar Subsystemassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Radar Systems and Subsystems","Week 2: Lesson 2: Principles of High-Power Transmitter Operation","Week 3: Lesson 3: High-Power Transmitter Component Technologies","Week 4: Hands-on Lab: High-Power Transmitter Component Identification and Basic Measurement","Week 5: Lesson 5: Introduction to Solid-State Transmit/Receive (T/R) Modules","Week 6: Lesson 6: Architecture and Operation of Solid-State T/R Modules","Week 7: Lesson 7: Power Amplification and Switching within T/R Modules","Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Solid-State T/R Module Functionality and Test Points","Week 9: Lesson 9: Radar Receiver Architectures and Components","Week 10: Lesson 10: Low-Noise Amplifiers, Mixers, and IF Stages","Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Receiver Chain Analysis and Gain Measurement","Week 12: Lesson 12: Principles of Doppler Radar and Front-End Design","Week 13: Lesson 13: Advanced Receiver Concepts and Signal Processing Interfaces","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Troubleshooting and Analysis of a Radar Subsystem"]