A multichannel sense-and-avoid radar system targeted for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been developed to assist the integration of UAVs into the US national air space by providing airborne collision avoidance capability in a lightweight, cost-effective form.
UAVs are an enabling technology for valuable commercial and industrial services, but they must be provided with safe and reliable collision avoidance systems before they can be allowed to share the skies with other aircraft. Military grade UAVs currently have large, expensive radar systems to achieve this goal, but small commercial UAVs lack such a system. The present invention combines existing electronic equipment with specialized processing and analysis methods to create a compact air-collision avoidance radar system.
APPLICATIONS:
This invention may be incorporated into UAVs (i.e., "drones") of all sizes, but is especially well-suited for small UAVs proposed for use in package delivery, security, disaster response, communications, cargo transport, infrastructure monitoring, and aerial mapping/photography.
HOW IT WORKS:
The present invention employs radar-ready integrated circuits designed for the automobile industry, along with specialized algorithms and analysis tools, to create a miniaturized air-collision avoidance system. This frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system utilizes a two-dimensional fast-Fourier transform process (2-D FFT) to detect targets in range and Doppler. Tracking and prediction algorithms are used to assess the target's threat level and minimize information corruption and false alarms.
BENEFITS:
This invention will provide one of the key technologies required before small commercial UAVs can be integrated into the national air space. In combination with other sensors and safety measures, this invention will help unlock the full economic benefits of UAVs to society.
This invention will provide one of the key technologies required before small commercial UAVs can be integrated into the national air space. In combination with other sensors and safety measures, this invention will help unlock the full economic benefits of UAVs to society.
WHY IT IS BETTER:
Some proposed solutions for UAV collision avoidance would utilize a ground-based network of sense-and-avoid radar systems to warn UAVs of potential hazardous or non-cooperative targets. These systems face limitations in coverage and signal reliability. On-board radar overcomes these limitations, but existing systems are too expensive, complex, large, or heavy to be used on small commercial UAVs. The unique configuration of the present invention provides reliable and effective results in a size and weight appropriate for small UAVs.
Some proposed solutions for UAV collision avoidance would utilize a ground-based network of sense-and-avoid radar systems to warn UAVs of potential hazardous or non-cooperative targets. These systems face limitations in coverage and signal reliability. On-board radar overcomes these limitations, but existing systems are too expensive, complex, large, or heavy to be used on small commercial UAVs. The unique configuration of the present invention provides reliable and effective results in a size and weight appropriate for small UAVs.
DEVELOPMENT STATUS:
-Flight tested prototype unit with human-in-the-loop; miniaturized system in testing
PERFORMANCE SPECS:
-Flight test showed greater than 400-m detection range & vertical angle processing
OTHER APPLICATIONS:
This invention can also be retrofit to existing airplanes, providing an additional layer of collision avoidance safety measures.
Owner
University of Kansas
Intellectual Property Protection
Pending Patent
INTERESTED? REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
This invention can also be retrofit to existing airplanes, providing an additional layer of collision avoidance safety measures.
Owner
University of Kansas
Intellectual Property Protection
Pending Patent
INTERESTED? REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
Read more at:
http://www.whiteboard2boardroom.com/ideas/idea-list/multichannel-sense-and-avoid-radar-for-small-uavs
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