Block 3 — Communication Systems, Radar, and Electronic Warfare

Block 3 — Communication Systems, Radar, and Electronic Warfare#

Block 03Lessons 28–41

Put those bits on a radio wave, bounce them off a target, and deny them to an adversary. Modulation and demodulation, antennas and propagation, the Friis equation for a one-way link and the radar range equation for a two-way one. Then pulse-Doppler radar, the signal-to-noise ratio that decides whether anything is detected at all, and the electronic warfare that attacks it.

What you’ll learn#

  • 3.1 — I can determine the modulation index, output signal, and output signal bandwidth of an Amplitude Modulation (AM) system and assess whether the system is under-modulated, over-modulated, or fully modulated.

  • 3.2 — I can design a demodulator given a modulated signal for envelope and synchronous detection.

  • 3.3 — I can calculate the signal wavelength, antenna size, max antenna gain, and basic gain pattern for dipole, monopole, and parabolic dish antennas.

  • 3.4 — I can calculate the maximum line-of-sight (LOS) distance between two terrestrial objects.

  • 3.5 — I can calculate the maximum communication distance between a transmitter and receiver using the Friis and Line-of-Sight equations.

  • 3.6 — I can calculate the maximum detection range from a radar antenna to a target using the Radar Range equation.

  • 3.7 — I can calculate the range resolution, unambiguous range, and target velocity for pulse Doppler radar.

  • 3.8 — I can calculate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and determine the effects on wireless communications.

  • 3.9 — I can analyze jamming scenarios using the Friis equation, RADAR equation, and SNR.

In this block#

Lesson 28

Modulation and Amplitude Modulation

Why we modulate, the function multiplier, and the modulation index. Objective 3.1.

 Lesson 29

AM Bandwidth and Multiplexing

Under-, full, and over-modulation; AM bandwidth; and frequency division multiplexing. Objective 3.1.

 Lesson 30

Demodulation

Modulation efficiency, envelope and synchronous detection, and designing the filters. Objective 3.2.

 Lesson 31

Antennas

Wavelength and antenna size, gain, dipoles and monopoles, dishes, and phased arrays. Objective 3.3.

 Lesson 32

Line of Sight and Wireless Channels

The maximum line-of-sight distance, with the four wireless propagation modes as context. Objective 3.4.

 Lesson 33

The Friis Equation

The Friis equation, combining it with line of sight, and working a complete radio communication problem. Objective 3.5.

 Lesson 34

The Radar Range Equation

Radar cross section, the two-way path, and why every term sits under a fourth root. Objective 3.6.

 Lesson 35

Pulse-Doppler Radar

Pulse width, PRF and PRI, range resolution, unambiguous range, and Doppler shift. Objective 3.7.

 Lesson 36

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Where noise comes from, the noise floor, and what minimum detectable signal really means. Objective 3.8.

 Lesson 37

Electronic Warfare and Jamming

ES, EP, and EA; jamming SNR; burn-through; and low probability of intercept. Objective 3.9.

 Lesson 38

Project 3 Workday

Team work time on the Project 3 radar design lab: design on paper, then check it in the EW Simulator.

 Lesson 39

Course Review

Final exam preparation across all three blocks, with common errors and worked problems.

 Lesson 40

Project 3 Discussion

The Project 3 debrief, the individual questions worked in class, then the course wrap-up.

 Lesson 41

Final Exam Review

Last meeting before finals — what is allowed on your desk, three conventions that cost points, a worked ADC problem, and open Q&A.

 Project

Project 3 - Radar Design Lab

Buy one ground radar from a priced catalog that sees a jamming bomber pair and a low-flying cruise missile in time, within budget, at the lowest cost.
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