TSKS17 Sensor Array Systems

Sensor arrays are used in a wide range of applications, including radar, sonar, audio, wireless communications, and medical devices.

• Sensors collect signals from sources in their field of view.

• These source waveforms undergo deterministic and/or random modifications depending on the propagation paths and type of sensors.

• Array signal processing techniques are employed over the signals collected by sensors to estimate specific parameters or enhance a particular signal of interest.

This course provides important tools giving that the interest on radar systems is growing, fueled by increasing defense modernization, the rise of autonomous systems: autonomous ground vehicles and drones, and the expanding use of radar in civilian applications.

TSKS 17 provides a comprehensive exploration of the theory and application of sensor array systems and moder radar. It begins with an introduction to radar fundamentals and wave propagation, followed by the radar range equation and basic measurement principles. Then, the course covers topics on array signal processing, including aperture and array design, and signal models for both narrowband and wideband systems. The course also covers classical and adaptive beamforming techniques, high-resolution methods for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation, and radar waveform design. Advanced topics include synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems, equipping students with the analytical tools and practical insights needed for applications of sensor array systems.

Course material

• Alle-Jan van der Veen, “Array signal processing, an algebraic approach”, 2022.

• Don H. Johnson and Dan E. Dudgeon, “Array Signal Processing: Concepts and Techniques”, 1993.

• Mark A. Richards, James A. Scheer, William A. Holm, “Principles of Modern Radar: Basic principles”, 2010.

Lecture content

Lecture 1: Introduction to sensor arrays and radar

Lecture 2: Wavefields and Propagation Mechanisms

Lecture 3: Radar Range Equation and Basic Measurements

Lecture 4: Clutter and Target Models

Lecture 5: Apertures and arrays

Lecture 6: Narrowband and Wideband Signal Models

Lecture 7: Classical beamforming techniques

Lecture 8: Adaptive beamforming techniques

Lecture 9: High-Resolution Techniques for Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) Estimation

Lecture 10: Radar waveforms

Lecture 11: Synthetic aperture radar

Lecture 12: MIMO radar

Instructors

• Course director and lecturer: Diana Osorio
• Assistants: TBD

Prerequisites

Linear algebra, basic probability theory, a related course on signals and systems, electromagnetics, and programming skills.