Difference between revisions of "Projects:2015s1-21 Inexpensive Portable Radar System"
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The Inexpensive Portable Radar System project is a continuation of the MIT Coffee Can Radar. The project is now in its third year of development. | The Inexpensive Portable Radar System project is a continuation of the MIT Coffee Can Radar. The project is now in its third year of development. | ||
− | This project is primarily being undertaken to expand on team members knowledge on radar and related areas which have previously been unexplored. Such areas include programming, RF | + | This project is primarily being undertaken to expand on team members knowledge on radar and related areas which have previously been unexplored. Such areas include programming, RF design, and power supply systems. The final product shall be used by a continuing honours team next year and eventually as a classroom demonstration tool. With the potential of becoming a teaching instrument, many future students may benefit from the successful completion of this project. |
==Project Team== | ==Project Team== | ||
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− | '' | + | ''Dr Hong Gunn Chew'' |
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:''Improve Portability-'' Reduce the overall size of the project (~500x200x200mm) by 30%. | :''Improve Portability-'' Reduce the overall size of the project (~500x200x200mm) by 30%. | ||
− | :''Add new functionality-'' Implement at least one new function to the system. | + | :''Add new functionality-'' Implement at least one new function to the system. |
'''Reimplementing Processing Procedure:''' | '''Reimplementing Processing Procedure:''' | ||
:An onboard processor shall process all data, removing the need of a laptop and MATLAB licence. The processor will be required to process the radar data and produce images for both the Range and Doppler mode. | :An onboard processor shall process all data, removing the need of a laptop and MATLAB licence. The processor will be required to process the radar data and produce images for both the Range and Doppler mode. | ||
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+ | '''Implementing an Interface:''' | ||
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+ | :A small, portable screen shall be used as the output of the system to display data processed by the Raspberry Pi via a customised GUI. A 7inch touch screen is available from last years project. | ||
'''Reimplementing RF System:''' | '''Reimplementing RF System:''' | ||
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:With new system components, it has been found that a new range of voltages may be required for the system. This requires a new power distribution method which is capable of outputting powers of 6 and 12W (potential to change as system design finalised) and is sufficiently powerful enough to run all components. | :With new system components, it has been found that a new range of voltages may be required for the system. This requires a new power distribution method which is capable of outputting powers of 6 and 12W (potential to change as system design finalised) and is sufficiently powerful enough to run all components. | ||
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'''Implement Radar Scanning:''' | '''Implement Radar Scanning:''' | ||
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If these proposed objectives are implemented, the finished product will move closer to its desired final state of being a truly inexpensive, portable radar. Such a radar has the capability of being continued on as a Honours Project with a different focus or becoming a classroom teaching tool for the university. | If these proposed objectives are implemented, the finished product will move closer to its desired final state of being a truly inexpensive, portable radar. Such a radar has the capability of being continued on as a Honours Project with a different focus or becoming a classroom teaching tool for the university. | ||
− | ==History | + | ==History== |
− | Radar is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging. As its name implies, a radar system uses radio waves to detect and capture information regarding distant targets. This information can include the targets range, velocity, or shape. Radar first became industrialised in WWII, however its development began well before then. The first operating radar was built in 1904 by the German Christian Hulsmeyer | + | Radar is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging. As its name implies, a radar system uses radio waves to detect and capture information regarding distant targets. This information can include the targets range, velocity, or shape. Radar first became industrialised in WWII, however its development began well before then. The first operating radar was built in 1904 by the German Christian Hulsmeyer. This device was a CW radar operating at 650MHz and was capable of detecting ships at sea within 3.2km, however it was unable to determine their distance or movement. The radar was developed concurrently by multiple nations, one of which was the United States. For the US, true progress began in 1934 when Robert M. Page was able to track a plane 1.6km away using a 60MHz pulse radar. With the evolution of the electronics industry, in particular digital to analog converters, the radar has continued to develop to this day. Modern radars are capable of a large number of functions including search, surveillance, target tracking, fire control, and weather monitoring. The use of digital systems has allowed modern radars to increase their sensitivity and overcome performance restrictions from problems such as clutter. |
Revision as of 10:12, 22 October 2015
The Inexpensive Portable Radar System project is a continuation of the MIT Coffee Can Radar. The project is now in its third year of development.
This project is primarily being undertaken to expand on team members knowledge on radar and related areas which have previously been unexplored. Such areas include programming, RF design, and power supply systems. The final product shall be used by a continuing honours team next year and eventually as a classroom demonstration tool. With the potential of becoming a teaching instrument, many future students may benefit from the successful completion of this project.
Project Team
Student Members
Mohammad Hasan
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Telecommunications)
Kieren Nelson
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)()
Angus Reid
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical and Electronic) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science
Wenkai (Kelvin) Zhu
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)()
Academic Supervisors
Dr Brian Ng
Dr Hong Gunn Chew
Project Aims and Objectives
This years Inexpensive, Portable Radar Project team shall focus on three distinct project aims;
- Reduce Cost- Produce a final product that is cheaper than last years product of $700.
- Improve Portability- Reduce the overall size of the project (~500x200x200mm) by 30%.
- Add new functionality- Implement at least one new function to the system.
Reimplementing Processing Procedure:
- An onboard processor shall process all data, removing the need of a laptop and MATLAB licence. The processor will be required to process the radar data and produce images for both the Range and Doppler mode.
Implementing an Interface:
- A small, portable screen shall be used as the output of the system to display data processed by the Raspberry Pi via a customised GUI. A 7inch touch screen is available from last years project.
Reimplementing RF System:
- A new PCB RF system shall replace the current, bulky system as PCB RF components are significantly smaller and cheaper.
Reimplementing Power Source:
- With new system components, it has been found that a new range of voltages may be required for the system. This requires a new power distribution method which is capable of outputting powers of 6 and 12W (potential to change as system design finalised) and is sufficiently powerful enough to run all components.
Implement Radar Scanning:
- A rotation system shall be added onto the radar allowing it to calculate the distance of multiple objects in different directions from a single location.
If these proposed objectives are implemented, the finished product will move closer to its desired final state of being a truly inexpensive, portable radar. Such a radar has the capability of being continued on as a Honours Project with a different focus or becoming a classroom teaching tool for the university.
History
Radar is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging. As its name implies, a radar system uses radio waves to detect and capture information regarding distant targets. This information can include the targets range, velocity, or shape. Radar first became industrialised in WWII, however its development began well before then. The first operating radar was built in 1904 by the German Christian Hulsmeyer. This device was a CW radar operating at 650MHz and was capable of detecting ships at sea within 3.2km, however it was unable to determine their distance or movement. The radar was developed concurrently by multiple nations, one of which was the United States. For the US, true progress began in 1934 when Robert M. Page was able to track a plane 1.6km away using a 60MHz pulse radar. With the evolution of the electronics industry, in particular digital to analog converters, the radar has continued to develop to this day. Modern radars are capable of a large number of functions including search, surveillance, target tracking, fire control, and weather monitoring. The use of digital systems has allowed modern radars to increase their sensitivity and overcome performance restrictions from problems such as clutter.