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Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2023
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| _version_ | 1867613941823176704 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Johnston, Henry |
| author2 | De Villiers, Henry |
| author_browse | De Villiers, Henry Johnston, Henry |
| author_facet | De Villiers, Henry Johnston, Henry |
| author_sort | Johnston, Henry |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2023. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/128918 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:08.546Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publishDateRange | 2023 |
| publishDateSort | 2023 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/128918 Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method Johnston, Henry De Villiers, Henry Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Radio direction finders Monte Carlo method Orthogonal arrays Watson-Watt method Radio -- Antennas Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2023. ANGLISH ABSTRACT: This project provides a first-look into the science of radio frequency direction finding. Specifically, the document presents an exploration of the Watson-Watt method of direction finding including an in-depth examination of the method’s mathematical and theoretical framework and how it relates to the physical design and operation of a Watson-Watt direction finding system. As part of this examination, a simulated Watson-Watt array is used to predict the direction finding accuracy of the method. Further, a series of Monte Carlo simulations is used to quantify the significance of various nonidealities such as antenna element misplacement and receiver chain phase imbalance and their effects on direction finding accuracy. The project also covers the development and testing of a 2.4 GHz narrowband receiver chain custom designed for the Watson-Watt method. The receiver chain is intended to be used with two colocated, orthogonal Adcock antennas – each comprised of two omnidirectional antennas spaced λ/4 apart – as well as a single omnidirectional antenna element located at the array phase centre. The receiver chain is designed to perform most of the Watson-Watt mathematical steps in hardware so, despite having five antennas, the receiver chain only requires two analog-todigital converter channels to digitise the analog data (i.e. it is a two-channel receiver). Finally, this project will detail the development and testing of a 1.2 GHz to 2.4 GHz wideband Watson-Watt system. The system’s design includes several subsystems. Firstly, an antenna element that can be used to create the Watson-Watt antenna array is selected and designed. Note that, unlike in the receiver chain chapter of this document, the phase-centred omnidirectional antenna is omitted: the omnidirectional signal is created in software by vector-summing the signals from the other array elements. Secondly, a broadband receiver device to capture the analog antenna signals is selected and the operation thereof described. Lastly, the creation and operation of the software module used to administer the Watson-Watt method is detailed. The software module includes a data acquisition sub-module which transfers data from the receiver device to a personal computer and the direction-finding estimation sub-module. The broadband system achieved a measured direction-estimation RMS error of approximately 3.5◦ across its bandwidth. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2023-11-20T09:23:58Z 2024-01-08T15:46:50Z 2023-11-20T09:23:58Z 2024-01-08T15:46:50Z 2023-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/128918 en_ZA en_ZA Stellenbosch University xi, 120 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Radio direction finders Monte Carlo method Orthogonal arrays Watson-Watt method Radio -- Antennas Johnston, Henry Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title | Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title_full | Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title_fullStr | Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title_short | Radio frequency direction finding and the Watson-Watt method |
| title_sort | radio frequency direction finding and the watson watt method |
| topic | Radio direction finders Monte Carlo method Orthogonal arrays Watson-Watt method Radio -- Antennas |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/128918 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johnstonhenry radiofrequencydirectionfindingandthewatsonwattmethod |