A Project Report on

Height Finding Radar System

Submitted by
MANASH PRATIM SAIKIA (ST-564055-0)

Under the guidance of

PROF. NARHAR EKANATH DOLE (M – 057778)

In partial fulfillment for the requirement of passing Section B examination

in Electronics and Communication Engineering

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is a pleasure to express my gratitude to my project guide Prof.Narhar Ekanath Dole for his
constant support and guidance throughout the project.I am thankful to the Director(EEA),The
Institution of Engineers(India) for providing this opportunity to accomplish the project work.I am
also indebted to my parents for their moral support and blessings.

MANASH PRATIM SAIKIA

ST-564055-0

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 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that the project report entitled “Height Finding Radar System” is an original
work of the student and is being submitted for fulfillment of the project work for “ The Institution
of Engineers (India)” in Electronics and Communicqtion Engineering under my supervision and
guidance.
The report has not been submitted earlier, either to this or to any other University/Institution
for fulfillment of the requirement of a course of study.

Prof. NARHAR EKANATH DOLE

M-057778

DECLARATION

Myself MANASH PRATIM SAIKIA student of AMIE (ST-564055-0) section B , hereby declare that the
project report “Height Finding Radar System “ submitted to “ The Institution of Engineers, India” in
partial fulfillment for the requirement of passing section B examination in Electronics and
Communication Engineering is the original work conducted by me. The information and data given
in the report is authentic to the best of my knowledge. This project report is not being submitted to
any other University for award of any other Degree, Diploma and Fellowship.

MANASH PRATIM SAIKIA

ST-564055-0

CONTENTS

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 CONTENTS
Project Synopsis7_14
Final Project Report 15+
Titile of the 15
Objective of the 15

Detailed Methodology To be used in carrying out the Study15to16

Statement the 16
Input Data/16
Analysis/Solution/17
Block 18
RF 18to19
Low Frequency Amplifier and 19to20

Power Supply 21
Theory of 21
22conclesion

Project Synopsis

1.TITLE OF THE PROJECT:-7

Height Finding Radar System

2.RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY:-

The project is taken up to solve the problem accurate height of aircraft over any terrain
may it be land,sea,hill,tall building or any dangerous obstacle like high voltage lines. This system
will provide improvement in accuracy the existing altimeters or pulse radar altimeters. A new
feature of this system is a data bus interface which digital altitude to an onboard computer. The
aim of this project is to minimize the flight accidents involving faulty height indication.

3.OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:-

The objective of this project is to design a height finding radar. So our aim is to transmit
a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave(FMCW) and then receive the reflected signal to find the
distance travelled by the wave.

4.METHODOLOGY TO BE USED FOR CARRYING OUT THE STUDY:-

To find the height of aircraft, we are using a transreceiver unit , two microstrip
antennas, a Radio Frequency (RF) module ,a Low Pass Filter, a Low Frequency Amplifier and
Discriminators ,a Bus Interface Card, a Search/Track Logic Card, Power Supply and a Motherboard.
The transmitter is made to radiate FMCW(f1) through transmit antenna. The reflected
signal (f2) from the terrain will be picked up by a receiving antenna and then will go to the
receiver. In a mixer, the received signal will be mixed with a portion of the transmitted signal to

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 obtain a difference frequency called beat frequency(fb).This fb is then passed through a Low Pass
Filter which allows only low frequency signals to pass so that weak echoes are significantly
amplified. The filter output is then amplified in a Low Frequency Amplifier. The amplified output
is given to a detector and then processed to find the aircraft height. The altitude obtained is then
passed through a data bus to an onboard computer then displayed.

Activities carried out are as follows:-

•
•
•
•

LIST OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT USING BAR GRAPH:-

Block Diagram of the Project

Theory of Operation :-

If we consider , beat frequency=fb(t) ,modulation period=T , constant due to aircraft installation=

Q , then
fb(t) = f2(t) -f1(T-Q)
or fb(t) =Q.(dF/dT) _____________________(1)
If the FMCW modulation is linear ,then ,
∆F/T = dF/dT _____________________(2)
where ∆F=total frequency deviation
Now, Q=2H/C , where C = velocity of light ,
H = height above terrain .
But from (1) & (2), we have , fb = Q.(∆F/T)
or fb = 2H/C.(∆F/T)
or H = C/2.(T/∆F)fb ___________________(3)
Thus height is directly proportional to the time of modulation when fb and ∆F are kept constant. A
microprocessor converts the time of modulation to altitude information.

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 RF MODULE:-
The RF module has a transmitter, a receiver and a LC filter. The transmitter is a Voltage Controlled
Oscillator. It produces modulated saw tooth wave.
In the receiver, the reflected RF signal is collected by receiving antenna. This signal is then given to
a balanced mixer. Mixer also gets a part of the transmitted signal. Beating of these two signals gives
Intermediate Frequency. A step up transformer at the output of the mixer increases the signal
strength. This output is given to a Low Frequency Amplifier.

LOW FREQUENCY AMPLIFIER AND DISCRIMINATOR:-

This module has a Low Frequency Amplifier(LFA) and discriminators.LFA amplifies the output of
mixer .This amplified signal is given to a discriminator.
LFA:-It has a preamplifier, a High Pass Filter and a variable gain amplifier.

Discriminators:- Two types of discriminators are used here:- contrast and track discriminator
Contrast discriminator gives a DC voltage output (CV). This output is used to decide whether the
altimeter is to be in SEARCH mode or in TRACK mode. Track discriminator is a frequency
discriminator that maintains the beat frequency constant.

SEARCH/TRACK LOGIC CARD:-

This module is to determine the mode (SEARCH/TRACK) of altimeter. A comparator is used to
compare the contrast voltage (CV) with a threshold voltage ( CT) . If CV > CT the system goes to
TRACK mode. If CV < CT the system continues in SEARCH mode.

ANALOG PROCESSOR:-
This has two modules :- Linear processor and linear logarithmic processor. The linear-logarithmic
processor is similar to linear processor except that linear logarithmic processor has some correcting
circuit for the logarithmic part.

BUS INTERFACE :-
This has a and associated circuits and data bus. It performs two functions :-
1.To calculate the altitude for every measurement cycle and transfer it to the data bus.
2.To respond to the commands sent by the onboard digital computer .

POWER SUPPLY MODULE:-

It is a Switch Mode Power Supply. It takes 28V DC as input and gives power supply to other
subassemblies.

TOOLS USED :-
1.
2.

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 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

5.EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE STUDY:-

1.The problems encountered in accurate height determination of aircraft will be solved any type of
flying terrain .
2.It will reduce the accidents involved due to faulty height indication of aircraft when any tall
structure is present.

6.LIMITATIONS:-

1.If the roll or pitch of the aircraft is higher , then this altimeter cannot indicate height.

2.It occupies more bandwidth than pulse type altimeter .

3. More expensive to produce than pulse radio altimeters .

4.Can be easily jammed due to low power and continuous transmission.

5.Susceptible to interference from other electronic systems because due to larger range of
frequencies encountered and due to lower peak power , resulting in the return signal being
overwhelmed by other emissions .

7.FUTURE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT:-

1.It is reduce the spectrum bandwidth consumption to improve frequency efficiency.

2.Economies of scale need to be achieved

3.Alternative measures to be taken up to reduce the electromagnetic interferences taking place in

this system.

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 Thank You

Final Project Report Outline

1.TITLE OF THE PROJECT :-

Height Finding Radar System

2.OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY :-

Now a days , tall buildings are on the rise due to increasing population. Also the air traffic has
increased too. The pilots become stressed in order to determine height of aircraft accurately. There
has been an increase in the aircraft accidents involving faulty height indication So this project
aimed at solving the work of accurate altitude determination of a flying aircraft. So our aim is to
transmit a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave and receive the reflected signal and then
determine the distance travelled by this wave .

3.DETAILED METHODOLOGY TO BE USED FOR CARRYING OUT THE STUDY :-

To find the altitude of aircraft , we are using a transreceiver unit , two antennas of microstrip type ,
a Low Pass Filter , a Low Frequency Amplifier and Discriminators , a Bus Interface Card , a Search /
Track Logic Card , Power Supply and a Motherboard .
The transmitter is made to radiate a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave , f1 through the
transmit antenna . The return signal from the terrain will be picked up by a receive antenna .This
signal goes to the receiver. Here , the signal will be mixed in a mixer with a part of the transmitted
signal. The result obtained will be a difference frequency or beat frequency ,fb. This fb is then
passed through a Low Pass Filter which allows only low frequency signals to pass. The filtered
output is then amplified in a Low Frequency Amplifier. The amplified output is then given to a
detector . The detector output is then processed to find the aircraft height . This altitude obtained is
then passed through a data bus to an onboard computer and finally displayed to the pilot .

Following are the steps used for preparing the project:-

1.To study on the components and tools used
1.1 To study on the RF module in respect to its working
1.2 To study on the Low Frequency Amplifier and Discriminators module
1.3 To study on Search / Track logic card
1.4 To study on analog processor

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 1.5 To study on Bus Interface Card
1.6 To study on Power Supply module
2.Drawing of the diagram
3.Connecting the parts
4.Powering on the system and checking its functionality

4.STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM :-

The problem with finding altitude of aircraft is that every minute there there will be a change in the
terrain level over which the aircraft is flying. Sometimes the aircraft will fly over a sea ,sometimes
over a mountain , sometimes over a tall building , and sometimes over high voltage lines. So the
terrain below the aircraft is constantly changing. Due to this the pilot will be too much stressed if
he has to depend only on the barometric altimeter which is not so accurate. So to reduce the
pilot stress and aircraft accidents a system can be designed that calculates the height of aircraft
accurately .

5.INPUT DATA :-
To make the Height Finding Radar System the input data is arranged from the history of the Height
Finding System , it’s way of working ,the survey of suffered and not suffered pilots and
aircrews .The points are checked and created a problem description and found the solution to
it.Then evaluated the thought and studied on the Radio Frequency module , it’s internal structure
and diagram , the diagram of the Low Frequency Amplifier and Discriminators and studirmed to
build the connection diagram to get the desired function.

HISTORY :-
•
•
•

6.ANALYSIS /SOLUTION /DESCRIPTION :-

Initially the transmission is started by giving the power supply .The first step is to check that all
the components and subparts of the transmitter are working properly. The next step is to check
the receiver and its subparts like mixer and filter Then antennas are to be checked .The next step is
to connect the two antennas, one to the receiver and other to the transmitter. Now if an obstacle
is placed in front of the transmitting and receiving antennas then the reflected signal from the
obstacle is picked up by the receiving antenna.This signal when detected and processed gives the

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 range or distance between the obstacle and the point of transmission. Finally turned off the power
supply .
.The description of the transmitter ,receiver , Low Frequency Amplifiers and detectors , Power
supply required are shown in the later chapter.

7.BLOCK DIAGRAM OF HEIGHT FINDING RADAR SYSTEM :-

7.1
It is made up of a transmitter , a receiver and a LC filter.The transmitter is a Voltage Controlled
Oscillator producing output power and modulated sawtooth wave. A VCO is an oscillator whose
oscillating frequency is controlled by an input voltage to the oscillator.
In the receiver , the return RF signal from the terrain is collected by receiving antenna and
subsequently given to a balanced mixer. This mixer also gets a portion of the transmitted signal.
Beating of these two signals take place in the mixer. This results in an Intermediate Frequency (IF).
A step up transformer is used at the output of the mixer is used to increase the signal strength.
This output is given to a Low Frequency Amplifier.

Fig. Block diagram of RF module

7.2 :- Low Frequency Amplifiers (LFA) and Discriminators :-

This module has two hybrid modules i.e. Low Frequency Amplifier and Discriminators . The Low
Frequency Amplifier provides amplification for low level mixer output coming from the RF module
and drives the discriminators .

LFA :- It has four blocks :- a preamplifier , a High Pass Filter and two stages of Variable Gain
Amplifier . At the outputs of these variable gain amplifiers , limiters are used , so that the last stage
would not saturate .due to strong return signals at low altitudes and to provide a constant level
signal to discriminators.
Discriminators :- It consists of two discriminating circuits , i.e. contrast discriminator and track
discriminator . Contrast discriminator provides a dc voltage output called Contrast voltage (CV)

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 which gives the mean of the return signal strength from the terrain. This output is used to
determine whether the radio altimeter is to be in Search mode or in Track mode. The track
discriminator is a frequency discriminator that works in Track mode to maintain the beat frequency
constant at 25KHz .

Fig. Block diagram of LFA and discriminators module

7.3 :- Power Supply Module :-

This sub assembly is a switch mode power supply type module . It takes 28 V DC as input . This
module generates five different output voltages i.e. +40 V, +30 V , +12 V , - 12 V and + 5 V. These are
required for the operation of the other subassemblies of the transreceiver unit of the system .
7.4 :- Theory Of Operation :-

If we consider , beat frequency=fb(t) ,modulation period=T , constant due to aircraft installation=

Q , then
fb(t) = f2(t) -f1(T-Q)
or fb(t) =Q.(dF/dT) _____________________(1)
If the FMCW modulation is linear ,then ,
∆F/T = dF/dT _____________________(2)
where ∆F=total frequency deviation
Now, Q=2H/C , where C = velocity of light ,
H = height above terrain .
But from (1) & (2), we have , fb = Q.(∆F/T)
or fb = 2H/C.(∆F/T)
or H = C/2.(T/∆F)fb ___________________(3)
Thus height is directly proportional to the time of modulation when fb and ∆F are kept constant. A
microprocessor converts the time of modulation to altitude information.

8.CONCLUSION :-

(a)
A dynamic height finding method is achieved with this system which will automatically display the
aircraft altitude to pilot .So the time which was earlier wasted in reading the analog gauges of
barometric altimeters will be saved and pilot will be less stressed in his flying. The accidents
involving faulty height reading of aircraft will be reduced and life of passengers onboard the flight

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 will be safe.

(b) Limitations of the system :-

1.If the roll or pitch of the aircraft is higher , then this altimeter cannot indicate height.
2.It occupies more bandwidth than pulse type altimeter .
3. More expensive to produce than pulse radio altimeters .

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