Drone Detection via Radar-Integrated Outdoor Lighting Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone detection methods, relying on human observation or commercial systems, are limited by cost, coverage, and vulnerability, failing to provide effective and efficient detection across large areas, especially in environments with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor lighting network system incorporating radar sensors and controllers to detect and track drones, providing radar sensing coverage in all directions, analyzing velocity and flight data to determine the starting location of drones, and sending signals for identification and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If commercial drone detection systems are deployed densely to cover large areas, then detection accuracy is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates radar sensors into existing outdoor lighting fixtures, allowing these fixtures to serve dual purposes: providing illumination and detecting drones. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection systems, reducing deployment complexity while maintaining detection coverage across large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines radar sensing functionality with outdoor lighting infrastructure by integrating radar modules directly into lighting fixtures. This merging of functions allows the system to leverage existing deployed lighting networks, avoiding the need for separate detection system installations and significantly reducing overall system complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If commercial drone detection systems are deployed densely to cover large areas, then detection coverage is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making outdoor lighting fixtures multi-functional (illumination plus drone detection), the system can rapidly expand coverage by simply installing additional lighting fixtures rather than deploying complex detection systems. This leverages the rapid deployment capability of lighting infrastructure to achieve wide-area coverage quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing outdoor lighting network infrastructure that is already deployed across large areas. By integrating radar sensors into these pre-existing fixtures, the system inherits their widespread distribution and rapid deployability, achieving extensive coverage without requiring separate installation efforts.
3Measurement precision
If human eyes are used to detect drones, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection range is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual detection method (human eyes) with radar-based electromagnetic detection. Radar sensors can detect drones at much longer ranges by measuring radio wave reflections, overcoming the limited visual range of human observers while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through automated signal processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables low-cost, high-density, accurate, and reliable drone detection networks that can distinguish drones from other flying objects, offering improved security and safety by providing comprehensive coverage and resilience.
Implementation Method 1
one or more radar sensors configured to detect a moving object in an outside environment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to inventive systems, methods, and devices for use in an outdoor lighting network for drone detection. The drone detection system includes one or more lighting fixtures, one or more radar sensors to detect a moving object, and one or more controllers. The controllers receive data from the sensors, determine the velocity and velocity change rate of the object over a period of time, and analyze flight data pertaining to the moving object to determine if the object is a drone. The system can determine the starting location of the moving object, and send a signal indicating its starting location. The system can also track the position of the moving object in the outside environment.