Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Radio and radar systems provide the information required to operate aircrafts safely and efficiently. These systems form part of the basic building blocks for just about every aerospace project that you are likely to see in your working life. All civilian and military aircraft and space-based missions employ the use of these systems to provide mission critical information.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide a detailed understanding of radio communication and radar systems for both the aviation and spaceborne environments. It also gives an overview of the applications that these types of sensors find in the aerospace industry.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Describe the application of radio communication and radar systems in the aviation and spaceborne environments.


2. Apply the principles of modulation, amplification, frequency conversion and electromagnetic compatibility.


3. Describe radar detection theory (including CFAR etc.)


4. Apply a number of avionics standards and aerospace work practices to problem solving.


5. Develop skills in technical writing for aerospace documents.

Content

A thorough treatment of the elements of radio and radar systems, ground, air and space based:

1. EMC/EMI and integrated systems

Principles of EMC/EMI (Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electromagnetic Interference) effects and protection against problems with inter-operability.

2. Radio

Transmitters and receivers, antennas, amplifiers, filtering and signal conditioning; all forms of technology in commonplace usage in the Aerospace industry.

3. Radar

History of Radar, The Radar as a system: Transmitters, receivers, signal processing, displays, antennae (steering and tracking), types of radar, mechanism for ranging, Doppler radar, Electronic Warfare and Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) techniques.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 3
Lecture: 2
Tutorials/Mentoring, Self-paced study Sessions: 1

Learning Approaches:

This is a highly technical unit and an emphasis will be put on the solution of technical problems and the knowledge required to solve these problems. Systems Engineering will be strongly emphasised and simulation techniques will be taught where applicable. The lectures will be based on industry practice and experience and these will be underpinned by demonstrations, reading and the application of knowledge to solving problems. Tutorial sessions will involve individual questioning as well as group work and student-centred learning rather than guided problem solving, with feedback coming from the whole group. This will enhance the group nature of systems design.

Assessment

Assessment includes two assessment items and a final exam. The assessment will be based on technical reports. A final exam will also be conducted. The final exam will be two hours in duration and will be aimed at evaluating problem formulation and solving of problems in the area of Aerospace Radar Systems.

You will also undertake some formative (unmarked) problem solving tasks and peer/group discussion to develop and challenge your thinking and learning skills in tutorial sessions throughout the semester.Formative feedback, written and verbal, will be provided for assignments and labs work; assessment results and completed CRA sheets will be available for examinations.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: You will individually apply discipline knowledge to solve a specific problem about EMC/EMI. Additionally, the team will prepare a written and illustrated report on your assessment, plus a presentation about your task.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: As a group, you will apply discipline knowledge and programming knowledge to solve a specific problem about radar. Additionally, the team will prepare a written and illustrated report on your assessment, plus a presentation.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Examination is a mixture of re-call of facts, problem solving using some of the techniques learnt in the class and analysis of these techniques under given circumstances.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Various references will be advised during lectures. Additional material will be made available through Blackboard website

Risk assessment statement

Students in this unit will undertake lectures in the classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. The unit will require students to work in the software laboratories at QUT and students will be required to perform the safety inductions for these laboratories. Students are also to be aware of the Health and Safety protocols associated with software laboratory work.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-Oct-2012