Functionality Investigation of the UAV Arranged FMCW Solid-State Marine Radar

Saulius Rudys,Dainius Udris,Andrius Laučys,Raimondas Pomarnacki,Domantas Bručas

doi:10.3390/jmse9080887

Saulius Rudys, Dainius Udris + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9080887

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Abstract

Some models of marine radars are light-weight enough and thus are attractive for potential applications when arranged on UAVs. Elevating a marine radar to high altitudes provides a much wider field of view, however, this could lead to a higher radio interference level. The practical estimation of the radio interferences affecting the solid-state FMCW marine radar at altitudes up to 120 m was the main objective of this contribution. A rotary-wing octocopter UAV was developed and built for the experiments. Two different kinds of interferences were observed at higher altitudes. Ray-like interferences were caused by signals, which are received by the radar’s antenna. Circle-like interferences appear due to the low frequency interfering signal directly penetrating the detector due to insufficient receiver screening.

Highlights

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) related applications most frequently apply optical sensors, which provide visibility from above
The solid-state Simrad 4GTM FMCW marine radar was successfully installed under a low-cost custom-built octocopter UAV and elevated to an altitude of 120 m as a proof of concept
No interferences from the radar to the UAV and vice versa were observed, showing that such integration is suitable for daily applications

Summary

Introduction

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) related applications most frequently apply optical sensors, which provide visibility from above. The abilities of such sensors are limited by atmospheric conditions and illumination. Radar sensors can be used at night and in poor visibility conditions. Radars on manned aircraft are considered conventional means for various purposes, such as surveillance of weather, ground, or other aircraft [1,2]. The same features became a standard on UAVs [3,4,5], especially for specific tasks, such as ground penetration [6]. The millimetre-wave radar provides an alternative solution to overcome the shortcomings of optical solutions because data in the microwave range can be acquired independently of atmospheric conditions and time of day [7,8]

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