The use of solid-state radars in VTS areas is increasing. It is said that these radars have the advantage of being more energy efficient and that they are better at detecting targets. Thus, making this technology greatly beneficial on open waters.
This raises the question whether this technology works just as well in a port setting.
This research will focus on the radar imaging of all kind of targets, moving or static, big or small, in an area with a high density of obstacles.
As the port of Antwerp has invested in solid state and magnetron radars,
from different producers, we have the perfect setting to compare both technologies.
The bachelor thesis will comprise a literature study focusing on solid-state technology,
with a comparison to magnetron technology; the master thesis will follow up with a
practical application to analyse collected data from a solid-state and from a magnetron radar in the port of Antwerp.
The overview of the research would be the following:
• Bachelor thesis:
o Literature study on solid-state radar technology
o Comparison between magnetron and solid-state radar technology
o Contact with producers of radar antennas
o Contact with other researchers who have already worked on the subject, or a similar one
• Master thesis:
o Analysis of the radar images of different obstructions (cranes, etc..)
o Analysis of the radar images of different moving targets (doppler effect)
o Analysis of radar echo quality
o Comparison