UASA Sensor a miniature Synthetic Aperture Sensor for use in real time imaging from Unmanned Aircraft
Lead Participant:
BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED
Abstract
The aim of this 6 month Proof of Market project is to investigate the commercial feasibility of
a miniature sensor,using electromagnetic signals and synthetic aperture data processing, to
image underlying terrain in any weather conditions, in real time, from an unmanned aircraft
(UA). The key features of this UASA sensor are:
• range up to 1 km with a resolution of < 1m
• output peak power < 250 Watts in which GaN transistors are used to minimise the
electrical power requirement
• weight < 2 kg so several units can be carried on one UA
• operating centre frequency < 2.5 GHz, so high performance and low cost WLAN RF
components can be used
• data processing in real time, using energy efficient processors such as the
SnapDragon S4 CPU, used in smartphones
Direct user pressure for this type of sensor has come from staff at Shell Exploration HQ in
Rijswijk in the Netherlands, Statoil in Norway and ENI in Italy. This sensor can also be used
in interferometric mode (I-MODE) to detect differences between two or more successive
scans. In addition to all weather imaging in real time for navigation purposes, the UASA
sensor could be used in the detection of:
• vehicles and people in a pipeline Right of Way
• an oil slick at sea, or on the ground (I-MODE)
• subsidence near an oil well, as a result of pumping oil from an underground oil
reservoir (I-MODE)
• tracks near an oil pipeline (I-MODE)
We will explore ways in which we could work with universities in the UK and with other
companies with relevant expertise in the processing of the measured data. This sensor will
find use in oil, gas and mineral exploration work, representing the business oriented aspect of
this work. Societal benefits include the detection of oil spills in real time, enabling remedial
measures to implemented.
The economic benefits will stem from both our use of this sensor and sales of the sensor for
use in exploration and monitoring work and in military applications.
a miniature sensor,using electromagnetic signals and synthetic aperture data processing, to
image underlying terrain in any weather conditions, in real time, from an unmanned aircraft
(UA). The key features of this UASA sensor are:
• range up to 1 km with a resolution of < 1m
• output peak power < 250 Watts in which GaN transistors are used to minimise the
electrical power requirement
• weight < 2 kg so several units can be carried on one UA
• operating centre frequency < 2.5 GHz, so high performance and low cost WLAN RF
components can be used
• data processing in real time, using energy efficient processors such as the
SnapDragon S4 CPU, used in smartphones
Direct user pressure for this type of sensor has come from staff at Shell Exploration HQ in
Rijswijk in the Netherlands, Statoil in Norway and ENI in Italy. This sensor can also be used
in interferometric mode (I-MODE) to detect differences between two or more successive
scans. In addition to all weather imaging in real time for navigation purposes, the UASA
sensor could be used in the detection of:
• vehicles and people in a pipeline Right of Way
• an oil slick at sea, or on the ground (I-MODE)
• subsidence near an oil well, as a result of pumping oil from an underground oil
reservoir (I-MODE)
• tracks near an oil pipeline (I-MODE)
We will explore ways in which we could work with universities in the UK and with other
companies with relevant expertise in the processing of the measured data. This sensor will
find use in oil, gas and mineral exploration work, representing the business oriented aspect of
this work. Societal benefits include the detection of oil spills in real time, enabling remedial
measures to implemented.
The economic benefits will stem from both our use of this sensor and sales of the sensor for
use in exploration and monitoring work and in military applications.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED | £40,000 | £ 24,000 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Joseph Barnard (Project Manager) |