The following courses were scheduled for 2017.

NB: Further information about each course and the presenters, as well as PDFs of the course handouts will be added as they become available.

1. Introduction to Radar

(click on course title for further information)

Dates: 13 to 17 February 2017

Presenter: Prof Marco Martorella

Course code: EEE5119Z

Download
Course
Handout:
Introduction to
Radar 2017

2. Mathematics for Radar and Electronic Protection

Dates: 3 to 8 April 2017

Presenter: Dr Pieter Uys

Course code: EEE5108Z

Course description: This course provides a useful mathematical toolkit for the Radar and Electronic Defence Engineer. Emphasis is on practical calculation and useful ‘tricks of the trade’ rather than mathematical rigour. The textbook, Advanced Engineering Mathematics, E. Kreyszig (Wiley) (with many editions available but edition 9 preferred) is prescribed. Some notes are also made available to assist the student.

Specific course topics include (estimated number of lectures and acronyms shown in brackets):

  • Ordinary differential equations (7) (ODE)
  • Laplace transforms (3) (LT)
  • Fourier analysis (3) (FA)
  • Partial differential equations (2) (PDE)
  • Complex analysis (8) (CA)

Credits: 20 points

3. Fundamentals of Radar Signal and Data Processing

Dates: 22 to 26 May 2017

Presenter: Dr Yunus Gaffar and Prof Andrew Wilkinson

Course code: EEE5105Z

Course description: This course presents the principles and techniques fundamental to the operation of the signal processing found in a radar system. The course follows the recommended textbook very closely.

Specific course topics include:

  • Fundamentals of radar signals & signal processing
  • Threshold detection of radar targets
  • Constant false alarm rate detectors
  • Doppler processing
  • Radar measurements
  • Radar tracking algorithms
  • Fundamentals of pulse compression waveforms
  • Overview of radar imaging

Textbook: Principles of Modern Radar, Scitech Publishers

Credits: 20 points

4. Microwave Filters: Technologies and Practical Design

Dates: 12-16 June 2017

Presenters: Prof Riana Geschke

Course code: EEE5117Z/EEE5118Z

Description: This course presents a systematic progression of topics from specification and theoretical synthesis, CAD-assisted design and practical manufacturing techniques for microwave filters operating in the frequency ranges of typical radar systems.

Course content:

  • How to select filters for various applications according to specifications, frequency ranges, trade-offs between performance and size.
  • Filter technologies: planar filters on conventional substrates, multilayer design and packaging techniques (LTCC and LCP) including quasi-lumped element filters, machined waveguide filters and substrate integrated waveguide, and monolithically integrated filters.
  • Design methods for narrow-band, wide-band and multi-band filters.
  • Manufacturing techniques, design-for-manufacture considerations, tolerance analysis and repeatability.
  • Full-wave EM solvers and design tools for filter design and optimization.

5. FPGA Development Course

Dates: 17 to 21 July 2017
Presenter: John-Philip Taylor
Course code: EEE5132Z
Venue: Menzies Seminar Room, 6th Floor, Menzies Building (Upper Campus), University of Cape Town

This course presents the principles and techniques fundamental to low-level FPGA firmware development. It is biased towards digital signal processing typically found in Radar, Radio-astronomy and Communication systems.
Although the course focuses on Altera tools, Xilinx tools are similar. After completing this course, the participant will have enough background to make use of the Xilinx tool-set with minimal effort.
Embedded soft-core processors and SoC systems are not included in this course.

6. Introduction to Electronic Defence

Dates: 18 to 22 September 2017
Presenter: Rodolfo Lima
Course code: EEE5120Z
Venue: Menzies Seminar Room, 6th Floor, Menzies Building (Upper Campus), University of Cape Town

The exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) brought significant change to the world over the past decades. The rapid growth of electronic technologies and the fast growing applications in communications, sensing (including radar) and intelligence led the increasingly important utilization of the EMS. Similarly, this same revolution played (and plays) a significant role is shaping military organizational structures worldwide. Nowadays, Electronic Defence represents an important scientific discipline; it has become a serious field with numerous applications and will play an increasingly greater role in future conflicts. One can find several definitions for Electronic Defence in the literature. Although these can differ in some ways, they all share the same core aspects. A basic or simple way to look at ED is to understand that its objectives are to ensure the full use of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum for friendly forces and to deny, reduce or prevent its use by the opponents. Despite the civilian applications, it’s usually a military discipline. ED consists of measures, activities and systems to fulfil these objectives. Electronic Defence is generally divided into three main disciplines: Electronic Support (ES), Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Protection (EP).