Radar based system and method for detection of an object and generation of plots holding radial velocity data, and system for detection and classification of unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs

Abstract

A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, FMCW, radar system is provided. The radar system comprises one or more antennas configured to transmit and receive FMCW radar wave signals for scanning for objects within a full circular detection coverage range, and processing circuitry configured to provide scan data based on transmitted and received FMCW radar signals and azimuth position of the antenna(s). In a first aspect, the processing circuitry is configured to generate first type radar plots, where each first type radar plot holds range, radial velocity and return energy data for one or more detected objects, and configured to generate second type radar plots, where each second type radar holds azimuth, range and return energy data for one or more detected objects. In the first aspect, the processing circuitry is also configured to generate full data type radar plots by combining first and second type radar plots having corresponding range data, whereby each full data type radar plot holds azimuth, range, radial velocity and return energy data for one or more detected objects. In a second aspect, the processing circuitry is configured to generate full data type radar plots based on obtained scan data, and the processing circuitry is further configured to select irregular type radar plots from full data type radar plots, where the irregular type radar plots have velocity data representing positive and negative radial velocities within an observed radial velocity range. The processing circuitry may also be configured to generate object tracks or unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, tracks, where each object / UAV track is based on at least two irregular type radar plots. In a third aspect, then for the plots of a generated object / UAV track, the processing circuitry is configured todetermine an outer energy sum of return energies for range cells representing positive and negative radial velocity signals within a first and a second outer radial velocity range, and to determine acenter energy sum of return energies for range cells representing radial velocity signals within a center range of the observed radial velocity range, and / or a total energy sum of return energies of range cells representing all observed radial velocity signals. In a fourth aspect, there is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, system, which UAV system comprises a control station for controlling a first co-operating unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and a radar system configured to scan for objects within a detection coverage range and to provide scan data indicative of objects detected withinthe coverage range. The first UAV may be provided with a transponder holding identification information, ID, and the first UAV and the control station may be configured for exchanging transponder data.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to radar-based systems and methods for scanning and detecting objects using a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar system, and more particularly to generating maps that include radial velocity data. The generated maps can be used to track and classify detected objects including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). [0002] The present disclosure also relates to a system for detecting and classifying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Classification of UAVs can be used to differentiate between several detected UAVs. Background technique [0003] The number of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) available for civilian use has increased significantly in recent years. These platforms can be used privately for leisure and filming, but also for applications such as agricultural and environmental monitoring, surveillance and disaster response. However, small UAVs can also be misused for anti-social, unsafe, and even c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

but such a radar detection system cannot distinguish between known or unknown UAVs

Images