EE/METEO 477 (was EE 433) – Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Systems

Designation:

Senior/Grad-level technical elective for Electrical Engineering and Meteorology students

Catalog Data:

The review of fundamental physical properties leads into discussions of various techniques, including imaging, spectroscopy, radiometry, and active sensing.

Prerequisites by topic:

Introductory electromagnetics and/or radiative transfer or instructor’s consent.

Course Objectives:

This course provides a broad exposure to the engineering of remote sensing systems. Through lecture and out-of-class assignments, students are provided learning experiences that enable them to:

1. Analyze and design basic remote sensing systems.
2. Interact and work with students outside of their college.

Topics:

1. Remote Sensing Systems Framework (2 classes)
   
   
2. General Overview
   1. Electromagnetics and Radiative Transfer (7 classes)
   2. Error Analysis/Statistics (2 classes)
   3. The Neutral Atmosphere (Composition and Structure) (2 classes)
   
   
3. Passive Systems
   1. Optical-Wavelengths (Imaging, Spectroscopy) (5 classes)
   2. Radio-Frequency (4 classes)<
   
   
4. Active Systems
   1. Optical Wavelengths (Lidar) (6 classes)
   2. Radio-Frequency (Radar) (6 classes)
   
   
5. Additional Methods (e.g. Acoustic) (4 classes)
   
   
6. Multi-Sensor Systems/Applications (3 classes)

Class Schedule:

Three 50-minute lectures per week.

Computer Usage:

Several homework assignments require the use of a computer program such as MatLab, MathCad, etc. The choice of software and platform is left up to the student.

Laboratory projects and/or assignements:

None, though students receive several tours of existing remote sensing instrumentation laboratories at Penn State.

Contribution to meeting the professional component:

This course provides a system level viewpoint of remote sensing. It is a prerequisite to additional technical electives, primarily specific graduate level courses in remote sensing.

Relationship to program outcomes:

1. Graduates will have attained computer proficiency. [Ref: Outcome O.1.3.]
2. Graduates will have teamwork skills. [Ref: Outcome O.5.1.]
3. Graduates will possess oral and written communication skills. [Ref: Outcome O.5.2.]