Applications of Microwave Antenna Array for Wireless Power Transmission and Radar Imaging in Complex Environment

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Phobos: The design and implementation of embedded software for a low cost radar warning receiver

This portfolio thesis describes work undertaken by the author under the Engineering Doctorate program of the Institute for System Level Integration. It was carried out in conjunction with the sponsor company Teledyne Defence Limited. A radar warning receiver is a device used to detect and identify the emissions of radars. They were originally developed during the Second World War and are found today on a variety of military platforms as part of the platform’s defensive systems. Teledyne Defence has designed and built components and electronic subsystems for the defence industry since the 1970s. This thesis documents part of the work carried out to create Phobos, Teledyne Defence’s first complete radar warning receiver. Phobos was designed to be the first low cost radar warning receiver. This was made possible by the reuse of existing Teledyne Defence products, commercial off the shelf hardware and advanced UK government algorithms. The challenges of this integration are described and discussed, with detail given of the software architecture and the development of the embedded application. Performance of the embedded system as a whole is described and qualified within the context of a low cost system.

Automatic Target Recognition in Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery: A State-of-the-Art Review

The purpose of this paper is to survey and assess the state-of-the-art in automatic target recognition for synthetic aperture radar imagery (SAR-ATR). The aim is not to develop an exhaustive survey of the voluminous literature, but rather to capture in one place the various approaches for implementing the SAR-ATR system. This paper is meant to be as self-contained as possible, and it approaches the SAR-ATR problem from a holistic end-to-end perspective. A brief overview for the breadth of the SAR-ATR challenges is conducted. This is couched in terms of a single-channel SAR, and it is extendable to multi-channel SAR systems. Stages pertinent to the basic SAR-ATR system structure are defined, and the motivations of the requirements and constraints on the system constituents are addressed. For each stage in the SAR-ATR processing chain, a taxonomization methodology for surveying the numerous methods published in the open literature is proposed. Carefully selected works from the literature are presented under the taxa proposed. Novel comparisons, discussions, and comments are pinpointed throughout this paper. A two-fold benchmarking scheme for evaluating existing SAR-ATR systems and motivating new system designs is proposed. The scheme is applied to the works surveyed in this paper. Finally, a discussion is presented in which various interrelated issues, such as standard operating conditions, extended operating conditions, and target-model design, are addressed. This paper is a contribution toward fulfilling an objective of end-to-end SAR-ATR system design.

Cassini states for black hole binaries

Cassini states correspond to the equilibria of the spin axis of a body when its orbit is perturbed. They were initially described for planetary satellites, but the spin axes of black hole binaries also present this kind of equilibria. In previous works, Cassini states were reported as spin-orbit resonances, but actually the spin of black hole binaries is in circulation and there is no resonant motion. Here we provide a general description of the spin dynamics of black hole binary systems based on a Hamiltonian formalism. In absence of dissipation, the problem is integrable and it is easy to identify all possible trajectories for the spin for a given value of the total angular momentum. As the system collapses due to radiation reaction, the Cassini states are shifted to different positions, which modifies the dynamics around them. This is why the final spin distribution may differ from the initial one. Our method provides a simple way of predicting the distribution of the spin of black hole binaries at the end of the inspiral phase.

Advanced parametrical modelling of 24 GHz radar sensor IC packaging components

This paper deals with the development of an advanced parametrical modelling concept for packaging components of a 24 GHz radar sensor IC used in automotive driver assistance systems. For fast and efficient design of packages for system-in-package modules (SiP), a simplified model for the description of parasitic electromagnetic effects within the package is desirable, as 3-D field computation becomes inefficient due to the high density of conductive elements of the various signal paths in the package. By using lumped element models for the characterization of the conductive components, a fast indication of the design's signal-quality can be gained, but so far does not offer enough flexibility to cover the whole range of geometric arrangements of signal paths in a contemporary package. This work pursues to meet the challenge of developing a flexible and fast package modelling concept by defining parametric lumped-element models for all basic signal path components, e.g. bond wires, vias, strip lines, bumps and balls. © Author(s) 2011. CC Attribution 3.0 License.

Effect of ray and speed perturbations on ionospheric tomography by over-the-horizon radar: A new method

International audience

Exploration of Ground Penetrating Radar and Time Domain Reflectometry Methods for the Determination of Pavement Dielectric Constant

Traditionally, densities of newly built roadways are checked by direct sampling (cores) or by nuclear density gauge measurements. For roadway engineers, density of asphalt pavement surfaces is essential to determine pavement quality. Unfortunately, field measurements of density by direct sampling or by nuclear measurement are slow processes. Therefore, I have explored the use of rapidly-deployed ground penetrating radar (GPR) as an alternative means of determining pavement quality. The dielectric constant of pavement surface may be a substructure parameter that correlates with pavement density, and can be used as a proxy when density of asphalt is not known from nuclear or destructive methods. The dielectric constant of the asphalt can be determined using ground penetrating radar (GPR). In order to use GPR for evaluation of road surface quality, the relationship between dielectric constants of asphalt and their densities must be established. Field measurements of GPR were taken at four highway sites in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, Michigan, where density values were also obtained using nuclear methods in the field. Laboratory studies involved asphalt samples taken from the field sites and samples created in the laboratory. These were tested in various ways, including, density, thickness, and time domain reflectometry (TDR). In the field, GPR data was acquired using a 1000 MHz air-launched unit and a ground-coupled unit at 200 and 500 MHz. The equipment used was owned and operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and available for this study for a total of four days during summer 2005 and spring 2006. The analysis of the reflected waveforms included “routine” processing for velocity using commercial software and direct evaluation of reflection coefficients to determine a dielectric constant. The dielectric constants computed from velocities do not agree well with those obtained from reflection coefficients. Perhaps due to the limited range of asphalt types studied, no correlation between density and dielectric constant was evident. Laboratory measurements were taken with samples removed from the field and samples created for this study. Samples from the field were studied using TDR, in order to obtain dielectric constant directly, and these correlated well with the estimates made from reflection coefficients. Samples created in the laboratory were measured using 1000 MHz air-launched GPR, and 400 MHz ground-coupled GPR, each under both wet and dry conditions. On the basis of these observations, I conclude that dielectric constant of asphalt can be reliably measured from waveform amplitude analysis of GJPR data, based on the consistent agreement with that obtained in the laboratory using TDR. Because of the uniformity of asphalts studied here, any correlation between dielectric constant and density is not yet apparent.

Apports de la texture multibande dans la classification orientée-objets d'images multisources (optique et radar).

Résumé : La texture dispose d’un bon potentiel discriminant qui complète celui des paramètres radiométriques dans le processus de classification d’image. L’indice Compact Texture Unit (CTU) multibande, récemment mis au point par Safia et He (2014), permet d’extraire la texture sur plusieurs bandes à la fois, donc de tirer parti d’un surcroît d’informations ignorées jusqu’ici dans les analyses texturales traditionnelles : l’interdépendance entre les bandes. Toutefois, ce nouvel outil n’a pas encore été testé sur des images multisources, usage qui peut se révéler d’un grand intérêt quand on considère par exemple toute la richesse texturale que le radar peut apporter en supplément à l’optique, par combinaison de données. Cette étude permet donc de compléter la validation initiée par Safia (2014) en appliquant le CTU sur un couple d’images optique-radar. L’analyse texturale de ce jeu de données a permis de générer une image en « texture couleur ». Ces bandes texturales créées sont à nouveau combinées avec les bandes initiales de l’optique, avant d’être intégrées dans un processus de classification de l’occupation du sol sous eCognition. Le même procédé de classification (mais sans CTU) est appliqué respectivement sur : la donnée Optique, puis le Radar, et enfin la combinaison Optique-Radar. Par ailleurs le CTU généré sur l’Optique uniquement (monosource) est comparé à celui dérivant du couple Optique-Radar (multisources). L’analyse du pouvoir séparateur de ces différentes bandes à partir d’histogrammes, ainsi que l’outil matrice de confusion, permet de confronter la performance de ces différents cas de figure et paramètres utilisés. Ces éléments de comparaison présentent le CTU, et notamment le CTU multisources, comme le critère le plus discriminant ; sa présence rajoute de la variabilité dans l’image permettant ainsi une segmentation plus nette, une classification à la fois plus détaillée et plus performante. En effet, la précision passe de 0.5 avec l’image Optique à 0.74 pour l’image CTU, alors que la confusion diminue en passant de 0.30 (dans l’Optique) à 0.02 (dans le CTU).

Estimation of the satellite ephemerides of Saturn using optical navigation pictures of Cassini

The goal of this dissertation thesis is the estimation of the Saturnian satellites ephemerides using optical data of Cassini. In the first part we describe the software employed for the reduction of the images showing its main features and the accuracy that can be achieved comparing the results with published astrometry. Afterwards we describe the orbit determination problem (ODP) with particular focus on the weights selection for the estimation process. The third chapter describes the dynamical model used and the sources of potential errors in the residuals. The model have been validated trying to replicate JPL's published ephemerides SAT365, SAT375, SAT389 and SAT409. The final part investigates the residuals and the estimated ephemerides with particular focus on the giant moon Titan, the only in the solar system with an atmosphere other than the Earth. No astrometry have been retrieved in literature of Titan using optical observables, thus this represents one of the first investigations of the giant.

Radar FMCW per la rilevazione di ostacoli in movimento

Lo scopo di questa attività di tesi è quello di rilevare dinamicamente la posizione di ostacoli mediante radar FMCW. I radar a onda continua modulati in frequenza sono alla base dei moderni sensori in ambito automotive, in quanto consentono allo stesso tempo di rilevare la distanza, l’angolazione e la velocità di un corpo detto target analizzando gli scostamenti temporali e in frequenza tra i segnali (detti chirp) trasmessi e quelli riflessi dai corpi. Nel lavoro di tesi si analizza sperimentalmente come il radar a onda continua MIMO (multiple input multiple output) RBK2, presente presso il laboratorio TLC del Campus di Cesena, può essere utilizzato per ricavare la velocità relativa di un target, che si avvicina o si allontana dal radar. Innanzitutto, vengono settati i parametri per l’acquisizione e per il processing necessario per ottenere una matrice Angolo-Range che caratterizza staticamente il target. Il mixer interno al radar, a seguito della ricezione di un segnale di eco, produce un segnale a frequenza intermedia il cui spettro presenta un picco in corrispondenza della distanza del target che lo ha riflesso. A questo punto si conosce la posizione del corpo e si procede con la stima della velocità sfruttando l’effetto Doppler: analizzando i chirp riflessi dallo stesso target in istanti successivi si ottengono una serie di picchi nella stessa posizione ma con fasi differenti, e da tale sfasamento si ricava la componente radiale della velocità del target. Sono stati studiati sia il caso di misure outdoor che quello di misure indoor, infine è stato elaborato un codice Matlab in grado di fornire un feedback riguardante una possibile collisione in seguito alla stima della velocità del corpo. Tale tecnologia gioca quindi un ruolo fondamentale nell’ambito della sicurezza stradale potendo prevenire incidenti.

Analysis of Tracking Algorithms for Extended Target Radar Problems

This work proposes the analysis of tracking algorithms for point objects and extended targets particle filter on a radar application problem. Through simulations, the number of particles, the process and measurement noise of particle filter have been optimized. Four different scenarios have been considered in this work: point object with linear trajectory, point object with non-linear trajectory, extended object with linear trajectory, extended object with non-linear trajectory. The extended target has been modelled as an ellipse parametrized by the minor and major axes, the orientation angle, and the center coordinates (5 parameters overall).

Mappatura della potenza degli echi del radar MARSIS per l'identificazione della presenza di ghiaccio nel terreno marziano

La superficie marziana è stata analizzata per decenni con immagini e tecniche spettroscopiche, sensibili alle proprietà dei primi millimetri e micrometri del terreno. Le zone sotto la superficie sono state studiate solo indirettamente fino al 2001, quando venne sviluppata la missione Mars Odyssey. Successivamente, è stato lanciato il Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosfere Sounding (MARSIS) a bordo di Mars Express, con l'obiettivo di ricercare ghiaccio e acqua sul pianeta rosso. In questo lavoro è stata mappata la potenza degli echi raccolti da MARSIS, ottenuti ad una frequenza di 4.0 MHz, ispirandosi al lavoro descritto in Mouginot et al. (2010). I valori utilizzati sono stati selezionati tenendo conto degli effetti dell'attenuazione del segnale da parte della ionosfera e della rugosità della superficie. Dalle mappe degli echi, risultanti dall'analisi, si è potuta ricavare la costante dielettrica dello strato sotto la superficie. I dati sono stati normalizzati con una simulazione dei segnali di MARSIS, ottenuta a partire dalla topografia del Marsis Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Si osserva che le proprietà dielettriche variano con la latitudine, con valori alti tra 20° e 40° e più bassi ai poli e all'equatore. Le tre zone di maggiore interesse, ovvero le due calotte polari e la Formazione Medusae Fossae, appaiono in blu nella Fig. 4.5. Ciò suggerisce che siano costituite da materiali con una costante dielettrica compresa tra 2 e 4, tipica del ghiaccio. Si pensa, però, che esse possiedano diverse quantità di impurità.

Missione JUICE: analisi delle opportunità per esperimenti di radar bistatico su Ganimede

Esperimenti di radar bistatico sono stati impiegati con successo nell’esplorazione spaziale ai fini di sondare a distanza superfici planetarie attraverso la riflessione di un segnale radio da parte di un corpo bersaglio. Un'appropriata analisi degli echi riflessi può fornire informazioni sulla struttura, sulla composizione chimica e sulla rugosità della superficie del target su scale proporzionali alle lunghezze d’onda trasmesse. Nel seguente studio si propone la modellazione della geometria del collegamento radio tra JUICE e la Terra per trovare opportunità per la sonda di eseguire esperimenti di radar bistatico sulla superficie di Ganimede, durante i soli flyby della luna. Questi, anche se ancora non è stato programmato con dettaglio nella fase scientifica della missione, potrebbero coincidere con finestre temporali plausibili per l’implementazione degli esperimenti analizzati. Ulteriori considerazioni vertono poi sull’angolo di incidenza e sull’effetto che questo avrà sull’accuratezza della stima della costante dielettrica superficiale della luna, effettuabile con osservazioni bistatiche. L’algoritmo principale per il calcolo del punto speculare e i grafici presentati, sono stati implementati con l’ausilio del software MATLAB e del toolkit SPICE. I risultati ottenuti, analizzando i flyby presi a riferimento, mostrano come la geometria della missione, per la maggior parte di essi, non sia la più favorevole per poter effettuare questo tipo di osservazione. Solo tre dei sette flyby analizzati: G04, G05 e G06, risultano avere una geometria favorevole per esperimenti di radar. bistatico su Ganimede.