73204 - Radio Communication and Radar Systems

Learning outcomes

The student acquires knowledge of both basic criteria for the design of radio communication and radar systems, and the metrics to evaluate the performance of such (analogue and digital) systems.

Course contents

The course will address some of the main problems in the framework of digital wireless communication and radar systems, along with the corresponding solutions. Topics will be introduced using the mathematical instruments explained in the first part of the course (basics). The mathematical aspects of the developed algorithms will always be complemented by engineering aspects. The following is a list of the main covered topics:

Basics:
- Random variables, random processes;
- Harmonic analysis and spectra of signal;
- Detection theory;
- Estimation theory.

Digital communication systems:
- Matched filtering;
- Digital modulations and constellations;
- Bit error probability in digital communication systems;
- Equalization;
- Link budget;
- Thermal noise.

Radar systems:
- Radar equation and radar cross section;
- Target detection and radar resolution;
- Ranging;
- ROC curves;
- Target tracking.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes, along with (whenever necessary) other teaching materials will be made available on the institutional repositories by the instructor. The distributed lecture notes will be sufficient to prepare the exam. Interested students may also refer to the following books for consultation purposes:

• H.L. Van Trees, K.L. Bell, Z. Tian, "Detection Estimation and Modulation Theory, Part I: Detection, Estimation, and Filtering Theory". Wiley, 2013.
• Proakis, M. Salehi, "Digital Communications". McGraw-Hill, 2007.
• M.A. Richards, "Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing". McGraw-Hill, 2014.
• M. Skolnik, "Radar Handbook". McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Teaching methods

The course is organized in classroom frontal lectures in which the fundamental elements of digital communication and radar systems are addressed. The theoretical investigation of each theme is combined with examples and with the resolution of specific problems and exercises, with the purpose to illustrate and remark the practical applications.

In the framework of some of the covered topics, such as for example the bit error probability calculation in digital communication systems, the implementation of a software simulation (Matlab) is proposed, aimed at performance evaluation with numerical methods.

Assessment methods

Examination consists of a single exam, aimed at assessing the methodological capabilities and the level of knowledge of the covered topics gained by the student.

Students who will exhibit a full and comprehensive knowledge of all class topics, together with the capability of using them in the framework of new problems, and an excellent command of language, will receive an evaluation ranging from good to excellent. Students whose knowledge of the covered topics is mostly mnemonic and whose language is essentially correct but not always appropriate will receive a grade of fair. Possible knowledge gaps, ignorance of the definition of important quantities or parameters, or an inappropriate and lacking language will receive a negative rating.

Teaching tools

Educational material: lecture notes covering all topics are made available to the students in electronic format, before the beginning of classes, in the institutional repositories.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Paolini