Degree Name

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Defense Date

2026-03-13

Publication Date

2026-03-27

First Faculty Advisor

David G. Long

First Faculty Reader

Ryan Camacho

Honors Coordinator

Karl F. Warnick

Keywords

emote sensing, software-defined radio, radar, FMCW radar, snow, avalanche

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of software-defined radios (SDRs) to develop a low-cost radar system for avalanche detection. Avalanches are a significant danger in mountainous locations and existing systems are often difficult or expensive to use. This research assesses if commercially available SDRs can be used to create a radar system capable of detecting moving targets and accurately measuring distance. A frequency-modulated contiuous-wave (FMCW) radar was implemented using the LimeSDR-Mini and the USRP B210. Signal generation, data collection, and processing all are performed in software, enabling easy configuration. Improvements to data transfer methods for the LimeSDR-Mini reduced sampling errors and improved system performance. Testing with the USRP B210 demonstrated successful detection of moving targets, including a corner reflector up to 80 meters and large objects up to 155 meters. Results show that SDR-based radar systems are a practical and low-cost option for avalanche detection; however, further improvements in hardware, interference reduction, and field-testing are required before deployment.