Continuous Azimuth Radar Antenna for UAS Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating under National Airspace System require faster obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities, as existing two-gimbaled radar systems with raster scan motion result in delayed update rates due to slowing and changing direction, which can lead to delayed reaction to obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A radar system with a transmitter antenna and two synchronized receiver antennas that continuously rotate 360 degrees along the azimuth angle without rotating along the elevation angle, using phase difference analysis to determine object elevation and providing both azimuth and elevation angle data for faster obstacle detection and avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a two-gimbaled radar system uses raster scan motion to provide complete field of view coverage, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the update rate is reduced due to slowing and reversing at endpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system divides the field of view coverage into two separate antenna elements positioned at different elevations. Each antenna independently scans the same azimuth range, allowing simultaneous coverage of different elevation sectors. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single antenna to slow down and reverse at scan endpoints, thereby maintaining continuous high-speed rotation and improving update rate while preserving complete FOV coverage.
2Speed
If a radar system continuously rotates 360 degrees along azimuth angle without elevation rotation, then the update rate is improved, but the ability to detect objects at different elevation angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds an elevation dimension by deploying two antenna elements at different vertical positions. While both antennas rotate continuously at the same azimuth rate, their spatial separation in the elevation dimension enables the system to detect and distinguish objects at different elevation angles. The signal processing unit compares phase differences between the two antennas to determine object elevation, thereby achieving fast update rates with preserved elevation detection capability.
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 faster update rates and more timely obstacle detection and avoidance, improving reaction times and operational safety for UAS by eliminating the need for slowing and reversing during scanning, thus enhancing the radar system's performance compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first and second receiver antennas are configured to receive a reflection of the RF signal
Implementation Method 2
determine an elevation of an object reflecting the RF signal based on the phase difference between the reflected RF signal received by the first receiver antenna and the reflected RF signal received by the second receiver antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system comprises a transmitter antenna configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first receiver antenna, and a second receiver antenna. Each of the first and second receiver antennas are configured to receive a reflection of the RF signal, wherein the first and second receiver antennas are synchronized and separated by a vertical distance. The radar system also comprises radar processing circuitry configured to control transmission of the RF signal from the transmitter antenna and to determine an elevation of an object reflecting the RF signal based on the phase difference between the reflected RF signal received by the first receiver antenna and the reflected RF signal received by the second receiver antenna; wherein the transmit antenna, first receiver antenna, and second receiver antenna are operable to continuously rotate 360 degrees along an azimuth angle without rotating along an elevation angle.