Developing Computational Electromagnetic Techniques for the Modelling of Radar Receiver Protectors

The overall aim of the proposed PhD is to improve the simulation techniques available for the design of radio-frequency (RF) systems; in particular the radar receiver, a system which must be able to detect weak electromagnetic (EM) radiation and yet be protected from potential damage by a large incoming signal. In order to meet these contradictory requirements, devices known as receiver protectors are installed in front of the receiver and allow small signals through, but reflect large signals. These devices need to be modelled accurately during the design process to ensure that they will exhibit the required RF performance. The project will focus upon accurately modelling these devices using a number of novel computational techniques currently under development at the Univsersity of Nottingham (namely the Transmission Line Modelling method and Boundary Element Method) and progessively improving the techniques to ensure they yield more accurate models.