Radar UAS Detection Using Periodic Transmit-Listen Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems face difficulties in reliably detecting and tracking unmanned aerial systems (UAS) due to their electromagnetic signal characteristics being similar to clutter, making it hard to distinguish them from noise and clutter.
Innovation Solution
A radar system method and architecture that involves receiving electromagnetic signals, determining the presence of UAS based on expected frequencies used by UAS devices, setting the radar into active track mode, and assigning a unique identifier, while minimizing transmit resources and power consumption, using a single pulse waveform for tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar systems transmit electromagnetic energy for predetermined duration to detect objects, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption and use of transmit resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system transmits electromagnetic energy in periodic pulses rather than continuously. The system listens for a predetermined duration after each transmit pulse, creating a periodic cycle of transmit-listen operations. This allows the radar to detect UAS while minimizing power consumption and preserving transmit resources for other missions.
2Reliability
If radar systems increase transmit resources to improve detection of UAS, then detection reliability is improved, but availability of transmit pulses for other missions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar operates in periodic transmit-listen cycles, transmitting for a predetermined duration then listening for reflections. This periodic operation ensures that transmit resources are available for other missions while maintaining reliable UAS detection during the transmit phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the listening phase as an intermediary opportunity to detect UAS without requiring additional transmit resources. By analyzing electromagnetic energy received during the listen phase (including reflections from UAS), the radar achieves reliable detection while preserving transmit pulse availability for other missions.
3Reliability
If radar systems use conventional detection methods to detect UAS, then general detection capability is improved, but ability to distinguish UAS from clutter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system applies specialized processing to electromagnetic energy received during the listen phase to specifically identify UAS characteristics. By analyzing the local properties of received signals (such as frequency characteristics of UAS transmissions or reflection patterns), the system can distinguish UAS from clutter with high precision while maintaining overall 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
Enables reliable detection and tracking of UAS while conserving radar resources and reducing power consumption, allowing for effective differentiation from noise and clutter.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by the radar system, a plurality of electromagnetic signals
Implementation Method 2
determining, by the radar system, whether a UAS is included in the plurality of electromagnetic signals based on one or more expected frequencies that one or more UAS devices use to transmit signals to remote controls
Data Source
AI summary
Radar systems and methods detecting and tracking an unmanned aerial system (UAS) are provided. The radar system and methods can include determining whether or not a UAS is included in the plurality of electromagnetic signals received by the radar system based on one or more expected frequencies that one or more UAS devices use to transmit signals to remote controls. The radar systems and method can also involve switching the radar system into a track mode upon detecting a UAS.