College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Electrical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Electrical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Electrical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Electrical Engineering

Date

6-2026

Primary Advisor

Clay McKell, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department

Additional Advisors

Professor Steve Dunton, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

With Cal Poly’s switch to semesters, many upper-level electives lack enough depth and structured content for the new 15-week format. In addition, while the Electrical Engineering department currently offers approximately five weeks of RADAR-focused laboratory material within EE 424: Intro to Remote Sensing, this limited exposure is insufficient to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of RADAR theory and practical applications. The semester conversion presents a timely opportunity to expand this existing five-week RADAR segment into a full 15-week course that integrates both lecture and laboratory content. To address the current curriculum gap, we have seamlessly extended the RADAR exercises in the laboratory portion of EE 424 into laboratory exercises for the laboratory section of the semester-based EE 5424: Principles of Remote Sensing and RADAR. This expanded course will include a full 15 weeks of integrated lecture and laboratory content, ensuring continuous, hands-on reinforcement of theoretical topics throughout the term rather than a short RADAR segment near the end. With guidance from Prof. Dunton, we created 5 of these new lab projects centered around MATLAB’s RADAR Toolbox and aided by the Phased Array Toolbox by Spring 2026 to directly support lecture material. These exercises will allow students to apply knowledge of topics such as Doppler, FM Ranging, Airborne Moving Target Indication (AMTI), and clutter in practical design and simulation environments. This approach not only reinforces Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy but also provides measurable educational outcomes with 5 weeks of RADAR laboratory content built, tested, and integrated on a defined schedule. By providing a relevant and attainable solution to both the semester transition and the growing industry demand for RADAR expertise, this project significantly improves the technical preparation and employability of future Cal Poly engineering graduates.

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