MECH 3680 Avionics Systems

Lecture 05 Radar Systems and RF

Communication
Hongyu YU, Ph.D
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Office: 2571
Email: [email protected]
Avionics for Flight Control and Missions

Green and Smart

RF
Communication

Navigation

Sensors and
payloads
Fly-by-wire
Flight control
Cockpit
Display … Data system

Cockpit Electrical
Instruments … power

Collision
Auto pilot Autonomous Stealth EV
Avoidance
Outlines
 Introduction for Radar
 Principles
 System
 Transmitter
 RADAR is stand for Radio Detection And
Ranging and was developed prior to World
War II.
 RADAR is the transmission of
electromagnetic radio frequency energy and
detect the distance or target by analyze
reflected energy at the point of transmission.
Functions include detection, locating, tracking,
imaging ， recognition and communication.
 It is used by air traffic control to monitor and
control numbers of aircrafts in airspace as well
as by pilot for weather warning and
navigation.
Radar Frequencies
 Radar operates on HF to SHF - Super High Frequency (3 MHz to 40
GHz).
 RADAR systems are in SHF bands because:
a) These frequencies are free from disturbance.
b) Higher frequency, shorter wavelength, narrower beam width, higher
actuation, higher power requirements. (shorter wavelengths are reflected
more efficiently.)
Principles of Target Detection

R1 R2

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
·¢ Éä »ú ½ÓÊÕ»ú
 

½ÓÊÕ»ú
2R1
tR1 
c
2R
tR 
c
2R2
tR2 
c
1
𝑅= 𝑐𝑡R
2 2 𝑅 2 2𝑅 1 1
𝑡 R 2 −𝑡 R 1 >𝜏 ⇒ − >𝜏 ⇒ 𝑅2 −𝑅 1> 𝑐𝜏
𝑐 𝑐 2
tR=1ms, R=150m 1
𝜌r = 𝑐 𝜏
2
Distance calculation Distance Resolution
Circuit Diagram of a Radar System
Minimum and Maximum Detectable Range

1 1
R min  c(  ts ) 𝑅= ( 𝑃𝑅𝑇 − 𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑡 )
2 2 max
Range detection is dependent on transmission and receiver instruments, and signal
characteristics
Azimuth Angle detection

  

0 90 180
0 90 180 270 360 0 90 180

Ideal beam Beam angle Determined by emitting angle

Detection Angle Resolution


 a 2R sin R 
2
𝑅 𝜌𝑎
2

𝛽 𝜌𝑎
Angle Resolution

Angle resolution is decided by target’s range and beam angle. Beam angle is related to
EM wave length and aperture of Antenna.
Elevation Angle Detection

Similar with Azimuth angle detection.

Target Motion Detection
Doppler effect: received wave frequency is related with relative
velocity (direct to the target) and angle with target object.
𝜆 𝜆′
Closing target

𝜆> 𝜆 ′ 𝑣 𝑣 𝑣
radar 𝜃

radar
𝜆 𝜆′
Opening target target1 target2 target3

𝜆< 𝜆 ′ 2 𝑣 cos 𝜃
𝑓 𝑑=
radar 𝜆

2 𝑣𝑟 𝜆
𝑓 𝑑= 𝑣𝑟 = 𝑓 𝑑
𝜆 2
Echo vs Dopplers
Schematic of Radar System
 Transmitter: strong signal output
 Antenna: transmit and receive signals
 Receiver: receive, amplify, filter and
analysis
 Scope: Display radar image
Components of Radar System

 Transmitter
 Antenna
 Receiver
 Scope
Radar Transmitter
 Function: provide a high power RF signal to emit through
the antenna
 Ranging distance
 Reducing interference to have the best detection: directional
 waveforms: simple pulse, frequency-modulated pulse, and
code modulated pulse

 t
Tr

t
(a )


Tr t

t
(b )
0

£« £« £« £« £« £« £« £« £« £« £« £«

£­ £­ £­ t

t
(c )
Radar Transmitter Circuits
 Function: provide a high power RF signal with accurate
waveform
 Key component: high power transistors: Bipolar or MOSFET
 Transistor die-> chip->PCB board->module
Ground RADAR used by Air Traffic Control
(ATC)
 Ground RADARs used by ATC are used to fix aircrafts’ positions which allows ATC to
separate aircrafts and guide the pilots.
 Three ground RADAR systems used by ATC
 En-Route Surveillance Radar (RSR)
 Terminal Approach Radar (TAR)
 Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
 Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
 Surface Movement Radar (SMR)
1) En-Route Surveillance Radar (RSR)
 En-route surveillance Radars (RSR) are long-range radars whose signal goes to 300
NM (nautical mile, 1852m).
 It operates with a frequency between 1 to 2 GHZ.
 It is used for airway surveillance to provide range and bearing of aircraft.
Surveillance: close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.
Why can ‘Stealth’ aircraft be invisible

J20

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber

F117 Nighthawk F-22 Raptor

 Most conventional aircrafts have a rounded shape. This shape creates a
very efficient radar reflector. It means that no matter where the radar signal
hits on the plane, some of the signal gets reflected back.
 Some military aircraft are designed and constructed to be non-reflective -
the so-called “stealth aircraft”.
 One type of stealth aircraft is made of completely flat surfaces and very
sharp edges. When a radar signal hits a stealth plane, the signal reflects
away at another angle --- Reduce RADAR Cross Section (RCS)
 Surfaces on a stealth aircraft also can absorb radar energy using RADAR
Absorbent Materials (RAM) and RADAR Absorbent Surfaces.
 Control reflection angles
 Control reflection path
 Bury the engines inside the body
 Minimize the gaps and holes
 Give the inlet duct an S-shape
2) Terminal Approach Radar (TAR)
 TAR is a high-definition radio detection device that provides information on the identification, airspeed, direction,
and altitude of aircraft to assist air traffic controllers in tracking the position of aircraft in the air within the
vicinity of the airport.
 This radar gives the air traffic control a better or true picture of all aircraft flying in its control zone and enables
the effective separation of aircraft
 Primary Surveillance Radar and Secondary Surveillance Radar

SSR

PSR
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
 Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) transmits a high-power signal.
 When a signal strikes an object or target, some signal energy is reflected back and received by the
radar receiver.
 RADAR receiver will plot the direction and the distance of the targets (aircraft) from the radar
station.
 Thus, the ATC knows the position of the aircrafts through the RADAR display.
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
 Radar operates on the 3,000 to 10,000 MHz frequency bands. (super high frequency SHF)
 Electromagnetic energy radiating outward from a source is reflected back by objects in its path.
 The time difference between transmission (trace) and reflection (echo) is measured giving an accurate indication of
objects’ distance.
 Range, azimuth angle, and elevation angle can be used to fix the objects position in three dimensional space.
 Signal timing is critical to accuracy. (one microsecond error results in a distance error of almost 500ft.)
 Position accuracy is directly related to the accuracy of the timing device used.
 An enormous amount of energy must be transmitted in order for even a small amount to be reflected back.
 Radar must be very powerful as a transmitter and very sensitive as a receiver.
 This powerful transmitter would completely overpower the receiver. The problem is corrected by alternating the
transmit and receive functions at very brief intervals (signal sharing) and at very high rates. (at a range of 40nm
radar cycles between transmitting and receiving approx. 800 times/sec.)
 SHF waves are subject to line-of-sight limitations, which limit range and create problems with terrain masking.
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
 Primary Surveillance is a form of radar surveillance developed after World War II. It relies on the "skin effect,"
which is the reflection of the transmitted radar signal from the aircraft's metallic skins. Thus, air traffic
controllers were able to observe the horizontal position of the aircraft.
 Radar has difficulty differentiating different types of objects.
 It will show returns terrain, precipitation, flocks of birds, built up areas such as cities.
 The information is displayed on a scope.
 Detects and reports reflections of aircrafts, weather, flocks of birds, built-up areas, and terrain.
 It is a short range radar effective to 80nm.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PSR
 The advantage PSR is that it operates totally independently of the target aircraft.
 No action from the aircraft is required for it to provide a radar return.
 PSR only provides direction and distance of aircraft.

• First, the signal can be interrupted by buildings, hills &

mountains.
• Second, high power must be radiated to ensure returns from the
target.
Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
 Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transmits an interrogation signal which is
received by the target aircraft.
 The aircraft transponder sends back a coded reply to the ground radar equipment.
 From the coded signal, information of the aircraft’s call sign, altitude, speed and
destination is directed to SSR.
How SSR Works?
 The ground secondary radar transmits
1030MHz signal.
 The aircraft radar receives signals on
1030MHz and transmits signals back 0n
1090MHz.
 The transponder reply is more powerful
than the reflected radar signal allowing
for greater range. (~250nm).
Secondary Radar Display
 What appears on secondary radar
display?
 Aircraft Identity.
 Altitude
 Speed
 Direction/Destination
 Example:
 MH092 FL280
 585
 Meaning: Flight Malaysian 092
cruising at 28’000ft with speed of
585knots
Advantages of SSR
 Requires much less transmitting
PSR SSR
power to provide coverage up to 200 1. Transmits a 1. Transmit low
to 250NM. very high power radio
 Provides more information: aircraft’s power radio frequency
identity (its code & call sign), frequency signal (1 kw)
indicates aircraft’s altitude, speed &
destination.
signal (600 kW 2. Received

~ 14 kW) signal is a
Reply signal is much stronger as it
does not rely on returning reflected 2. Received signal
signals. signal is the transmitted
reflection of from aircraft
transmit transponder
signals when 3. Long
hitting aircraft coverage
3. Short coverage (200 nm)
(60 nm to 80 4. Provide
nm) aircraft’s call
4. Provide aircraft sign, altitude,
direction and speed and
Surface Movement Radar (SMR)
 SMR installed at airport (at top of ATC tower building) to
provide a very accurate radar display in all weathers and
conditions of visibility. (operate with frequency 18-40Ghz)
 The surface movement radar (SMR) allows the Air Traffic
Controller to 'see' in real time the aircraft and vehicles
movements into the airport control area.
 SMR radar display can show all of airfield infrastructure
including aircrafts’ movements on runway, taxiway and
apron.
 It is designed to provide clear display of all aircrafts on
runway or taxiway so that ATC can ensure runway are clear
for take-off/landing and also guide aircrafts to apron in order.
 Surface movement radar can improve both safety and
efficiency of airport traffic by providing the ground controller
with a clear picture of the areas or under poor visibility
conditions.
Airborne Weather Radar
 Airborne Weather Radar (AWR) is used to provide
the pilots about weather ahead.
 The installation includes a weather radar antenna
housed in a radome located in the nose of the
aircraft and weather radar display inside the
cockpit.
 The radar information can be displayed in
combination with the aircraft route on the
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)
Navigation Display (ND)
 Weather radar is used for severe weather
avoidance
 Bands: 5350-5470 MHz, 8750-8850 MHz, 9.3-9.5
GHz, 13.25-13.4 GHz
How Airborne Weather Radar Works
 A antenna which sweeps side to side transmits Super High Frequency (SHF) signals
which is 9Ghz
 When hit the reflective objects (precipitation), the signals is reflected back to the antenna
receiver.
 The returns (echo) are displayed to the pilot on the aircrafts radar screen.
Precipitation Detection
 A weather radar is used to
 To locate precipitation
 To calculate its motion,
 To estimate its type (rain, snow or
hail)
 To forecast its future position and
intensity.
 Weather radar is function to detect,
locate, and measure the amount of
precipitation.
 Precipitation is within or falling from
cloud.
 It includes rain, snow, ice & hail.
 Different precipitation has different
reflective levels.
Airborne Weather Radar Functions
 The goal of weather radar is to display areas of heavy precipitation, which generally indicates areas of
turbulence.
 Different types of precipitation have different reflective qualities.
 Reflectivity of precipitation is directly related to moisture content.
 Large water droplets show the strongest returns, while dry hail or snow will show light returns, or no
returns at all.
 Weather radar detects raindrops, not clouds or fog.
 The precipitation painted (depicted) by airborne weather radar is not of primary concern, however it is
representative of areas of severe weather.
 Areas of large raindrop size=high rainfall rate=intense storm=turbulence.
 The turbulence associated with convective clouds is often severe and always dangerous.
 Other dangerous factors associated with thunderstorms are: severe icing, hail, lightning, strong
downdrafts.
Airborne Weather Radar
 Modern radar displays are full color:
 Level 1: light precipitation-green
 Level 2: moderate precipitation- yellow
 Level 3: heavy precipitation- red
 Level 4: very heavy precipitation- magenta
 Level 5-6: intense/extreme precipitation- may be an
area of no returns (black)

 Attenuation can cause shadowing to occur,

displaying an area of no returns where heavy
precipitation exists. An area of intense activity
may cause complete attenuation resulting in no
signal penetration. Modern systems have alerts
that will be displayed in areas of possible
shadowing.
 The display will incorporate range and bearing
information to aid the pilot in weather
avoidance.
Airborne Weather Radar Working
Vulnerability of RADAR
Causes:
 Enemy detection
 Inadvertent or intentional jamming of the signal.

Solutions:
 Anti-Detection: Very narrow beam transmissions and/or occasional short bursts of radio
communication.
 Anti-jam
(a) Using high power transmission to out-power a dedicated jammer
(b) Antenna gain/narrow beam-width
(c) Processor gain
(d) ‘band jumping’
(e) spread-spectrum system,
Radio Range of LoS