Aerosystems MSc

• Dr Steve Barker

To provide an understanding of the concepts and techniques employed in modern communication systems.

• Introduction: Transmitter and receiver communications system model,
• Voice source coding: Pulse code modulation, delta modulation, vocoders, demonstrations,
• Analogue modulation: Amplitude modulation, DSB/SSB. Frequency modulation, demonstrations,
• Digital modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK, DPSK, QPSK, Offset QPSK, MSK, QAM, demonstrations,
• Communications channel: Multipath effects, fading and diversity, Egli and Murphy,
• Receivers: superheterodyne systems, balanced and unbalanced mixers, frequency synthesisers,
• Link budget analysis.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Identify the main functions of each of the component blocks in a communications system model, deriving suitable values for each of the system parameters,
• Describe the principles, implementation and theoretical background of the principal modulation schemes employed in communication systems,
• Evaluate the effects of a communications channel on a transmitted signal in terms of attenuation, time, frequency and phase dispersion,
• Analyse the performance of a communication system based on a link budget, using a standard propagation model,
• Propose a suitable communications architecture to meet a required specification given a particular application.

To introduce the you to the field of EO/IR technology and give an understanding the underlying principles. To give an appreciation of the likely future advances in the technology and the importance of EO/IR technology in the wider defence system.

Simple radiometry and power calculations, signature generation (solid and gaseous), contrast, atmospheric effects, optical systems, detector type (thermal, photon, one and two dimensional arrays, fibre sensors), cooling requirements, detector performance characteristics, simple electronic processing, display options, EO/IR seeker systems, countermeasures (including stealth) and counter-countermeasures, digital image processing.
 



 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Describe EO/IR systems and the underlying principles and technology,
• Analyse the significance of the EO/IR system in the defence context,
• Assess the performance of EO/IR systems.

Increase the depth of knowledge in the field of EO/IR technology and give an understanding of the underlying principles. Give an appreciation of the likely future advances in the technology and the importance of this technology in the wider defence system.

Advanced radiometry and power calculations, modulation transfer function, minimum resolvable temperature difference, advanced digital image processing, laser systems (principles and applications), laser directed energy weapons, laser countermeasures and electro-optic protection measures.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Describe EO/IR systems and the underlying principles and technology,
• Analyse the significance of the EO/IR system in the defence context,
• Assess the performance of EO/IR systems.

To provide you with an understanding of electromagnetic propagation, antennas and devices relevant to military sensor, communications and electronic warfare systems.

• Course introduction: course structure, aims and objectives,
• Information resources: computer centre, library, information retrieval,
• Propagation: radio propagation, reflection, refraction, multipath, fading, attenuation, ionosphere propagation, troposcatter, anomalous propagation,
• Antennas: fundamental antenna concepts and definitions; impedance match, radiation patterns, directivity, gain, polarization, axial ratio, EIRP, effective aperture, noise temperature, etc.
• Overview of antenna types for communications and radar applications including wire antennas, aperture antennas, reflector antennas, low profile and microstrip antennas,
• Antenna arrays: introduction to phased array theory, types of antenna array, feed network design, beam steering and radiation pattern shaping,
• Electromagnetic devices: high power tubes including magnetron, coaxial magnetron, Klystron, Extended Interaction Klystron and Travelling Wave Tube Amplifier,
• Guided waves: waveguides, coaxial lines, microstrip and other RF planar transmission line structures,
• RF and microwave power dividers, combiners and couplers active solid-state devices: RF diodes and transistors and their application in amplifiers and oscillators, ferrite non-reciprocal devices (circulators and isolators),
• PIN diode switches, modulators and phase shifters.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Describe the principles of operation and characteristics of antenna sensors and electromagnetic system components and recognise how they may be used in a modern military communication or EW system,
• Identify and explain the various models of propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space and transmission lines,
• Analyse and evaluate the performance of electronic warfare system components,
• Assess the propagation of electromagnetic signals in physical environments,
• Design antenna elements and develop phased arrays performance models.

• John Hoggard

To make you aware of the roles, concepts and applications of modelling and simulation in defence, and to understand how to construct simple models.

• The general principles of modelling and simulation,
• The role of modelling and simulation in supporting Defence decision making, training and analysis,
• The typical components of M&S systems,
• The technologies of live, constructive and virtual simulation and their Defence applications,
• An introduction to defence synthetic environments,
• Organisations involved in Defence M&S, both in the UK and elsewhere,
• Practicals hands-on with different Defence M&S systems.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Explain and apply the general principles of Modelling and Simulation (M&S) and the main components of M&S systems,
• Identify the main organisations involved in M&S for Defence,
• Discuss the importance of M&S in supporting Defence decision-making, training and analysis,
• Examine the technologies of live, constructive and virtual simulation and their Defence applications,
• Recognise the context for the subjects and modules that will be addressed in the remainder of the award, with reference to their significance for application in Defence M&S.

• Dr Derek Bray

The aim of this module is to: provide a general overview of guided weapon systems and technology; introduce students to the theoretical design of guided weapon subsystems; demonstrate how these subsystems form the overall guided weapon system.

Indicative module content:



Introduction

Introduction to the ‘missile’ and the system; constituent parts of the missile and how they integrate into the complete system; the threat and how it can be countered; overview of subsystem operating principles, requirements and trade-offs.

GW Propulsion – Rockets & Air-Breathers

General principles of reaction thrust and jet propulsion; overview of propulsion system selection criteria; rocket principles of operation; propulsion performance parameter definitions; solid propellant design considerations; air-breather (turbojet, turbofan, ramjet and scramjet) characteristics; component design; propellants; flight mechanics.

Aerodynamics

Airframe materials and structures; subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic flows; factors affecting aerodynamic lift and drag and means of enhancing lift/drag ratios.

Control

Polar, Cartesian and roll control; aerodynamic and thrust vector control; actuation systems; instrumentation; accelerometers; rate and position gyroscopes; acceleration and velocity control; roll rate and position, lateral acceleration and altitude autopilots.

Guidance

The need for guidance; types of trajectory; system characteristics and classification; command, homing and navigational guidance principles and coverage diagrams.

Radar Surveillance and Target Acquisition

Basic principles of radar systems; antenna beam widths and patterns; antenna sizing; radar range equation; waveforms; range resolution; surveillance requirements; clutter; target acquisition and classification; modes of radar operation; real beam scanning; Doppler and velocity; micro-Doppler; imaging radar systems; synthetic aperture radar; example radar systems.

mmW radar seekers

Attenuation versus frequency; MMW pros and cons; beamwidth versus frequency; antenna considerations; range resolution; Doppler frequency; schematic diagram; range limitations; transmitter power limits; weather attenuation; applications; target recognition; range profiling; waveforms; GW examples.

Electro-optic systems and countermeasures

Homing systems; spin-scan and con-scan techniques; proportional navigation method; pulse modulation without reticle; pseudo imaging systems; pulse width discrimination; imaging and staring systems; advanced seeker examples; flares; counter-countermeasures; jammers; missile approach warners; DIRCM/ATIRCM; retro-reflection.

Laser Principles & Applications

EM spectrum; photon energy, emissions and effects; stimulated emissions and lasers; amplification issues; population inversion; excitation methods; laser materials; pulsed and continuous wave methods; cavities; level laser action; energy levels; Gaussian beam and divergence; laser mode and techniques; laser types; uses (rangefinders, designators, pointers, beam riding, fuzing, Directed Energy Weapons).

Warheads

Overview of warheads for guided weapons for attack of armour, airborne targets and ground installations; safety and arming; types of fuse, matching and countermeasures.

Structures & Materials

Loads analysis; stress and structural analysis principles; materials selection considerations; aeroelasticity effects.

Aircraft Integration

Internal and external carriage, store separation and jettison considerations, aerodynamic changes with missile carriage, weapon bay flow types, missile modifications for internal and external carriage, loading and unloading, data transfer and fidelity requirements.

Airworthiness Issues

Factors affecting aircraft airworthiness, and the certification process.




 

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• Describe in technical detail the elements that make up a guided weapon system,
• Critically discuss the principles involved and the design constraints on guided weapon airframe, propulsion, warhead, control and guidance systems and radar, EO/IR and mmW technologies and how these subsystems interact with one another from a multi-disciplinary optimization perspective,
• Develop and refine an appropriate conceptual/preliminary guided weapon system design based upon a given set of technical requirements,
• Critically assess the airworthiness impact and integration challenges of guided weapon deployment on an aerial platform.

To provide you with an understanding of networks in a modern military electronic sensor or communications system, their vulnerabilities and how they can be protected.

• Communicating data and the function of networks,
• Military network requirements,
• Building a local area network (LAN): media, devices and protocols,
• Internet history, addressing and services, including the role of Internet authorities and registries,
• Internet architecture and protocols,
• IP addresses and domains,
• Reliable communication,
• Layered models: The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and Internet models,
• Wide area networks (WANs) and routing,
• Network security,
• Network analysis and monitoring,
• Wireless networks,
• Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs),
• The World Wide Web(WWW),
• Network modelling, simulation and emulation.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Recognise how a network may be exploited in a military context to support information age operations and to identify the benefits of such support,
• Identify the various components of a network and its architecture, defining the protocols and address structure, such that network infrastructure solutions can be critically assessed,
• Describe and explain the operation of a wireless LAN,
• Propose a secure wireless network structure, evaluating the level of security that such a network can provide against likely threats,
• Critically analyse trends and technological developments in networking, identify the threats to a network and then evaluate the responses and defence measures to counter these threats.

This course is specifically designed for those coming to study a technical MSc, particularly after a break from academic studies. Its aims are to:

• revise students' undergraduate mathematical skills so they can solve problems in algebra and calculus,
• introduce the software package MATLAB so students can manipulate data and produce appropriate graphs,
• refresh students' knowledge in selected engineering topics. 

• Algebra Refresher – factorisation, transposition of formula, linear equations, quadratic equations, partial fractions, logarithms,
• Calculus Refresher – differentiation, rules of differentiation, maximum and minimum, integration, definite integration, rules of integration,
• Engineering Refresher – fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, propulsion, principles of flight,
• MATLAB – Introduction, data analysis, symbolic computing, programming graphics, Simulink.

The course also includes social activities.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Algebraically manipulate mathematical formulae,
• Differentiate and integrate mathematical functions,
• Perform simple data analysis and produce associated graphs using MATLAB.

• Ioannis Vagias

To provide you with an understanding of the principles, design and analysis of the electronic threats to radar systems and how radar systems may be protected.

• Radar ES: Operational use; Calculation of ES sensitivity; The radar/ES detection battle; The requirements for a quiet radar; The ES process; Observable parameters; Antenna configurations for AOA measurement; Probability of intercept; Intercept analysis; Signal Sorting,
• Radar EA: Jamming techniques and strategies; SJNR calculations; range-gate and velocity-gate pull-off; angle deception against monopulse trackers; deception and decoy techniques; DRFM,
• Radar ED: Frequency and PRF agility; polarisation diversity; power management; sidelobe suppression; dual-band technique,
• Low probability of intercept radar waveforms: Power management, wideband FM, PSK: pseudo-random phase coding (maximal length sequences), poly-phase. Coding (Frank, P1, 2, 3, 4 codes), FSK: frequency hopping (Costas sequences), hybrid approaches,
• Jamming of SAR systems: Principles of SAR Jamming,
• Anti-Radiation Missile Seekers: ARM operational modes and impact on seeker, monopulse seeker design, detection ranges, example designs. 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Use concepts of sensitivity, resolution and discrimination to establish the capabilities and applications of receivers used in ES,
• Outline the various electronic attack and associated defence measures applicable to modern radar systems,
• Identify the role and quantify the performance of a modern radar system, given suitable data regarding its transmissions,
• Select and assess appropriate electronic defence measures against specified threats, given an operational specification.

To provide you with an understanding of the fundamental principles of radar, allowing you to relate this to the design and analysis of radar systems.

• Introduction: comparison with other sensors, frequency bands, relationship between size, wavelength and range, target data, historical notes,
• Radar detection theory: radar range equation, Pd, Pfa and SNR relationships, FAR, No. hits, Integration (quadrature detection),
• Pulsed Radar Parameters: PRF, pulse width, duty ratio, peak and average powers, min range, eclipsing, max unambiguous range, low PRF, spectrum of pulsed radar, signal bandwidth, matched reception, range resolution. Search radar application,
• Losses: effect of clear air, precipitation, multipath; Losses associated with radar system, including the antenna (beam-shape loss),
• CW and FM ranging: The Doppler effect, Doppler sensing, clutter rejection, Doppler filtering/velocity gating. Two phase linear saw-tooth modulation, ranging, effect of Doppler, velocity and range measurement. Missile seeker,
• Radar cross-section: principal factors; surface reflection effects; forms of scattering; echo mechanisms; variation of RCS with angle; typical values; Swerling models,
• Pulse compression: frequency coding (FMOP); Phase coding (PMOP); matched filtering; range and velocity resolution; Compressed pulse width; Range-velocity coupling,
• Clutter: surface and volume backscatter coefficient; spatial and temporal variation; estimation of clutter return and signal-to-clutter ratio for volume and surface clutter; statistical description for clutter; clutter spectrum and de-correlation time,
• CFAR: Constant false alarm rate systems; Clutter statistics and CFAR performance,
• Pulse-doppler radar: principle of operation; clutter spectrum; characteristics of HPRF and MPRF systems; FMICW in range measurement; multiple PRFs in range measurement. Airborne early-warning radar: requirements; design drivers and solution; typical parameters. Battlefield surveillance radar: requirements; system design; unambiguous range and velocity measurement,
• MTI radar: System diagram; clutter rejection by single and double delay line cancellers; blind speed,
• GMTI: MTI from an airborne platform, target measurement accuracy in range and in angle; clutter Doppler spread Tracking Radar. Monopulse and conical scan angle- trackers; range and velocity gates for range and Doppler tracking; angle-tracking errors; track-while-scan systems; continuity tracking synthetic-aperture radar: Cross range resolution, unfocussed SAR, focussed SAR, array length, array processing, resolution, Doppler Beam

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Analyse radar detection performance in noise and clutter, relating these principles to conventional radar system design,
• Assess the performance and identify particular operational advantages of modern multi-function radar and SAR systems Skills and Other Attributes,
• Critically assess the detection performance of a radar system, given its design parameters,
• Produce a viable radar system design, given a suitable specification of the required radar performance,
• Generate and analyse radar waveforms and target echoes with MATLAB.

This module provides a multi-perspective, multi-methodological approach to research as the basis for the range of research questions that may be addressed in the student's thesis and also in investigations in future professional work.

This module supports both these needs through challenging the student to think about research tasks and methods suitable for achieving the goal of obtaining actionable knowledge about a variety of research topics.

Unit 1: Knowledge, novelty and verification and validation

• The classical epistemological view of knowledge: S knows that p if and only if p is true, S believes that p and S is justified in believing p.
• Novelty in research and contrast to what is not novel.
• Potential sources of research topics, areas of interest
• Purposes for which research may be performed
• Impact of project purpose on what knowledge is needed
• Requisites of a research project: a method to discover what is present and a method to provide assurance

Unit 2: Areas of interest and research questions

• Impact of intention to publish on project design
• Broad approaches to research: discovery about an observable, improving practice in a field, improving individual or group practice, logic or mathematical proof, experiments, interpretation of extant data, analysis of text/discourse, etc.
• Transformation of an area of interest into an articulated research question
• Reading research papers to determine research questions and methods

Unit 3: Framing research projects

• Knowledge and information
• Logical reasoning processes
• Deduction
• Induction
• Abduction
• Errors in research
• Verification in research
• Validation in research
• Knowledge and information.

Unit 4: Quantitative methods

• Measurement and scales
• Common kinds of quantitative research
• Null hypothesis
• Sampling

Unit 5: Modelling and simulation method

• Kinds of models
• Challenges of physical testing/experimentation
• Benefits of modelling and simulation in research
• Relationship of modelling and real things
• What is achieved through modelling
• Calibrating models with real cases
• X-in- the-loop modelling

Unit 6: Formative feedback re proposed research methodology

• Surveys
• Interviews
• Textual analysis

Unit 7: Writing about research: Proposals, reports, theses, and papers

• Description of research writing genres: proposals, reports, thesis, paper
• For each genre: general description, generic outline, span of content, emphasis on sections
• The nature and purpose of literature review in each genre
• Pragmatic suggestions for writing: outlining, mind-mapping, reference management, document management
• Creating publishable quality research including discipline specific journals and how to write academically credible and professional reports

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

• Transform a description of an area of interest into a precisely worded research question, the answering of which will provide knowledge which is useful for the purpose for which the research project is to be conducted,
• Plan and execute a search of the literature to find existing research relevant to a research question at hand and to prioritise a reading list if too much material is found,
• Evaluate existing research literature to propose an apposite method to address a research question,
• Justify a proposed method to address a research project as a suitable method to generate knowledge of the kind that will achieve a result that will satisfy the motivating purpose of a research project.

To provide you with an understanding of the subjects supporting the specialist modules and to provide you with the essential signal analysis and statistical tools used in the course.

• Statistics and Noise: Probability, random variables, probability distributions, covariance, correlation. Noise sources, noise bandwidth, noise figure, noise temperature. Cascaded networks. Mathematical representation of noise,
• Analogue and Digital Signal Processing 1: Analogue methods used to describe, analyse and process signals and the behaviour of systems: Fourier and Laplace transforms, correlation and convolution, impulse response and transfer function,
• Analogue and Digital Signal Processing 2: Matched filters, the z-transform. Advantages/ disadvantages of DSP, sampling and quantisation, digital filters, DFT and FFT, DSP applications in communications and radar,
• Decision Theory: Hypothesis testing, probabilities of false alarm and detection, Bayesian systems, error probability and bit error rate, receiver operating characteristics. Bit-error rate lab demo.

• Describe the signal processing methods commonly encountered in sensor, communications and EW systems,
• Evaluate the effect of randomly varying signals on the decision processing in sensor and communication systems,
• Identify and analyse signal and noise waveforms commonly encountered in communications, sensor and electronic warfare systems in the time and frequency domains,
• Analyse the detection performance of such systems.

• Professor John Economou

This module focuses on the up-to-date UAV systems level technologies and Artificial Intelligence based methods for mission planning and energy-based range extenders, autopilots. Furthermore, the course covers the connectivities of airworthiness and Cyber Threat in the modern airspace. The aim is to provide you with the understanding of the fundamental concepts and challenges of UAS/RPAS with a Military Airworthiness perspective including a group interactive activity involving VR UAS flight experience.

Overview of UAS and Military Airworthiness:

 

UAV/RPAS passive hard subsystems - 



• UAV/RPAS materials,
• UAV/RPAS structures,
• UAV/RPAS battery and Artificial Intelligence (AI a hard/soft approach),
• Rotary wing vehicles and micro-UAVs.

 

UAV/RPAS Active Hard Subsystems -



• UAV/RPAS communications,
• UAV/RPAS sensing using electro-optics & Infrared,
• UAV/RPAS radar signatures,
• UAS/RPAS design and analysis methods.

 

UAS/RPAS Soft methods - 



• Introduction to design and analysis of trials and experiments for UAVs/RPAS,
• Artificial intelligence for UAVs/RPAS,
• Automatic decision making for UAVs/RPAS,
• UAV/RPAS sense and avoid.

 

UAS/RPAS Design and Analysis Methods -



• Principles of UAV/RPAS aero, prop & flight performance,
• Aspects of stealth,
• Stability and control.

 

UAS/RPAS AI Design Design Based Guidance -



• UAV/RPAS sustainable airworthiness – cyber threat,
• UAV/RPAS localisation based on imaging,
• UAV/RPAS energy-based planning guidance artificial intelligence based,
• UAV/RPAS Autopilots for guidance,
• UAV/RPAS guidance.

 

UAS/RPAS applications and Airworthiness - Test cases



• Applications - artificial sniffing UAV/RPAS for illicit substances,
• UAV/RPAS defence electronics,
• UAV/RPAS airworthiness,
• VR group interactive UAS/RPAS flight experience.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the overview of UAS/RPAS and Military Airworthiness,
• Describe the principles of UAV/RPAS passive and active hard subsystems and UAS/RPAS soft methods,
• Estimate flight range of UAS/RPAS based on design and analysis methods,
• Evaluate aspects of UAS/RPAS AI design-based guidance within the context of airworthiness and applications and defence electronics.

• Professor John Economou

To execute self-driven research applying the principles, processes, and practices developed in the course to an Aerosystems real-world problem of interest and relevance to the student.

The thesis is a vital element of the Aerosystems MSc which offers to the student the opportunity to apply the learned taught phase knowledge and develop new knowledge and skills to an agreed topic.

The students will be allocated an academic supervisor who will guide them with the topic and the general requirements of the project.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Research and propose a relevant project topic in Aerosystems and identify the context with suitable in-depth critical evaluation,
• Plan a research project with a well-defined and realisable timeframe, with suitable risk assessment and contingency planning with a suitable demonstration of engagement with academic and professional experts,
• Provide an analysis of their critical assessment of factual, conceptual, and theoretical knowledge and relate, when applicable, to existing aerosystem technologies and place the outputs within the wider context of Aerosystems.