94024 - Principles of Radio Localization and Remote Sensing (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the fundamental notions of advanced electromagnetism necessary to understand the interaction of electromagnetic waves with the environment for remote sensing applications - knows the principles for extracting information on the position and physical characteristics of objects through electromagnetic waves that propagate in the environment and interact with them. - knows the principles, architecture and operation of the main localization and remote sensing systems and has practical experience of a radiometer created ad hoc and analyzed during laboratory exercises. - knows examples of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with the environment, including solar radiation, and the application of remote sensing techniques to the control of climate and environmental changes.

Course contents

The course is structured around two main topics: radiolocation (positioning) and remote sensing. Practical exercises and in-depth seminars will be conducted during the course.

Part 1: RADIO LOCATION

Principles of radiolocation: general structure and factors of merit of a radiolocation system, classification of radiolocation methods (Angle of Arrival, Time of Arrival, Time Difference of Arrival, etc.). Overview of propagation delay estimation techniques (matched filter, spread spectrum systems with sliding correlator receivers). Antenna arrays: estimation of the direction of arrival of the radio signal using arrays, overview of super-resolution algorithms (MUSIC, ESPRIT, SAGE).

The impact of real-world propagation on estimation accuracy. Localization methods based on radio maps and fingerprinting. Overview of: multipath-assisted techniques; near-field localization techniques and localization techniques using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS).

Main Radiolocation Technologies. Satellite Technologies: Introduction to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS. Operating principles of GPS. GNSS system architecture and potential applications. Radiolocation technologies based on cellular mobile radio networks: localization in mobile radio systems from 2G to 4G, characteristics and evolution. Localization in 5G (outline). Indoor radiolocation technologies: use of WiFi, beacons, wireless sensor networks. High-precision localization using UWB systems (outline).

 

PART 2: REMOTE SENSING

Principles and methods of remote sensing. Information acquisition techniques using electromagnetic waves: passive and active remote sensing, cooperative information acquisition. Interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the atmosphere and natural surfaces (vegetation, water, soil). Multispectrality and spectral signatures: examples. Satellite remote sensing: historical overview, basic concepts on the composition of a remote sensing system for Earth observation.

Main radiometric quantities: power spectral density, irradiance, radiance, brightness. Overview of the corresponding photometric quantities. Electromagnetic emission from bodies: blackbody, graybody, emissivity, and brightness temperature. Interaction between electromagnetic waves, obstacles, and the atmosphere. Solar radiation: solar constant, scattering and absorption in the atmosphere, insolation, brightness index, surface reflectivity (albedo), thermal absorption and reemission. Impact of global warming and climate change monitoring: overview of "heat island" effects in urban environments.

Fundamentals of passive remote sensing: the microwave radiometer. Optical radiometers and thermal imaging cameras. Overview of some types of electromagnetic sensors at infrared and visible frequencies: thermopile and bolometer sensors; MOS and charge-coupled detector (CCD) imaging sensors.

Fundamentals of active remote sensing. Problems of forward and inverse electromagnetic scattering, derivation of the bistatic and monostatic RADAR equation. Monostatic and bistatic Radar Cross Section (RCS), characteristics and their relationship to target characteristics, overview of RCS calculation methods. Overview of stealth technology.

Main radar architectures: pulsed radar, continuous wave (CW), frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW), pulse-Doppler radar, pulse compression radar (CHIRP). Surveying of land and sea surfaces: radar scatterometers. Radars for high-resolution imaging applications on airborne and satellite platforms: Side-Looking Radar, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), differential interferometry.

Detection of soil conditions (temperature, humidity) and sea surfaces (water temperature, phytoplankton health), coastal erosion, support for precision agriculture and viticulture.

Weather radar: its use for nowcasting, hydrometeor detection (rain, snow, hail), and disaster prevention (floods, hurricanes, inundations, landslides).

Active optical remote sensing systems: LIDAR and laser scanners, their use for detecting atmospheric pollutants and measuring greenhouse gases.

Applications of radiolocation and sensing techniques to airborne radio navigation: primary and secondary radar, NDB+ADF, VOR, and DME. Landing aids (ILS). Use of GNSS for airborne navigation: ADS-B and multilateration-based techniques.

Readings/Bibliography

The teacher will provide lesson notes and powerpoint slides. All the teaching materials will be made available on the Moodle/VIRTUALE platform.

Recommended textbooks:

• Brivio P.A., Lechi G., Zilioli E.: Principi e metodi di telerilevamento. Citta' Studi Edizioni, 2006.
• W. G. Rees, "Physical Principles of Remote Sensing", 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2012.
• F. T. Ulaby, D. G. Long, "Microwave Radar and Radiometric Remote Sensing", Artech House, 2015.
• R. M. Rauber, S. W. Nesbitt, "Radar Meteorology - A first course" Wiley, 2018.
• P. Misra, P. Enge, “Global Positioning System: Signals, Measurements, and Performance (Revised Second Edition)”, Ganga-Jamuna Press, 2012.

Further texbooks for consultation and study in depth of specific topics:

• G. Falciasecca, "Dopo Marconi il diluvio. Evoluzione nell'infosfera", Ed. Pendragon, 2016.
• Merrill Skolnik, "Radar Handbook", Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
• F. Berizzi, "I sistemi di telerilevamento Radar", Apogeo, 2010.
  
• C. Elachi, J. Van Zyl, "Introduction to the physics and techniques of Remote Sensing", 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2006.
  
• Kuo-Nan Liou, "An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation", Academic Press, 1980.
• P. Dong, Q. Chen, "LiDAR Remote Sensing and Applications", CRC Press, 2018
• Claus Weitkamp, "LIDAR : range-resolved optical remote sensing of the atmosphere", Springer, 2005.
• Vosselman G., Maas H.: Airborne and Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Whittles ed., 2010.
• A.I. Kozlov, L.P. Ligthart, A.I. Logvin, "Mathematical and physical modelling of microwave scattering and polarimetric remote sensing", Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004.
  
• B. Hofmann-Wellenhof, H. Lichtenegger E. Wasle, "GNSS – Global Navigation Satellite Systems. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and more", Springer, 2007.
• P. D. Groves, "Principles of GNSS, Inertial, and Multisensor Integrated Navigation Systems", Artech House, 2008.
• S. Frattasi, F. Della Rosa, "Mobile Positioning and Tracking - From Conventional to Cooperative Techniques" 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2017.
• D. Dardari, E. Falletti, M. Luise, "Satellite and Terrestrial Radio Positioning Techniques: A Signal Processing Perspective", Academic Press, 2012.

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures given by the professor and numerical exercises, plus a practical experience on the use of a microwave radiometer.

Periodically during the course some lessons are carried out interactively (or in flipped classroom mode), raising questions that students must answer in relation to the program seen up to that moment.

During the course at least one seminar will be held by exponents of the industrial world, operating in the field of remote sensing and processing of satellite data, and radio navigation.

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists in an oral examination divided into 3 questions, the first of which must be answered by the candidate in written form. The questions relate to the overall course program.

The first question (written) is aimed at solving a project / numerical problem and normally must be carried out in a maximum time of one hour. The use of books, handouts and calculation tools is allowed. The solution of the problem by the candidate is briefly discussed in the oral interview with the teacher who communicates the general evaluation to the student, before proceeding with the 2 following oral questions.

The final marks derive from the overall (average) evaluation of the answers to the 3 questions. Honors are given at the discretion of the teacher if the candidate answers all 3 questions correctly and without significant errors or inaccuracies, and also in the interview demonstrates an excellent capacity for critical analysis and an excellent ability to express the topics covered.

To be able to take the exam it is mandatory to register on ALMAEsami.

 

Criteria for the assigmnent of the final marks:

Poor knowledge of the topics of the course, inadequate capacity for critical analysis and analysis / solution of practical problems; incorrect or inappropriate expression will result in a negative evaluation. In case of insufficient marks, students will have to repeat the test.

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expressed in an overall correct language → 18-19;

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to autonomous analysis only on purely executive matters, expression in correct language → 20-24;

Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29;

Excellent ability to critically analyze the topics covered and excellent ability to express and argue; excellent competence and ability to apply knowledge to practical problems independently → 30-30L.

Teaching tools

Slides of lessons, lecture notes, blackboard and projector / camera. Recording of the lessons with the possibility of listening to the contents of the lessons remotely.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Maria Vitucci