Program: The use of remote sensors to detect the presence of hazardous wind turbulence is an ongoing engineering problem and has involved the development and application of both microwave radar and lidar technologies. This presentation will focus on some of the signal processing problems associated with these two applications. In each situation a range-Doppler signature has been characterized and used as a basis for developing detection algorithms. Fundamental differences between the radar and lidar are discussed. On-going research includes investigating approaches for analysis of the lidar returns from wake vortices including filters matched to the transmitted pulse waveform and the discrete wavelet transform.

Biography: Ernest G. Baxa, Jr. was a Research Triangle Institute senior engineer from 1970 to 1980, involved with signal processing associated with air traffic control instrumentation, VLF and LF navigation systems for general aviation use, and sonar and radar signal processing. Since 1980 he has been on the faculty in electrical and computer engineering at Clemson University, teaching digital signal processing and digital communications and is currently the graduate program coordinator for the ECE department. He directs the Radar Systems Laboratory and his recent research work has involved algorithm development associated with radar and pulsed Doppler lidar. Support for his research work has come from various agencies including NASA, the Navy and the Air Force. Technical areas of interest include spectral estimation, digital filter analysis and implementation, and real-time signal processing

Directions: From I-75 go west on Windy Hill Road. Pass Highway 41 and turn right on Atlanta Road. After about 1.9 miles, turn right at Richardson road towards the Naval Air Station (look for an aircraft on a pedestal). The Georgia Tech gate is on your right after the NAS entrance. Building 1 will be on your left after entrance.

For more information: Contact Rick Levin at (770) 528-7644, or David Aalfs at (770) 528-7921.