LoRAD = Low power RADAR sensor for use in collision detection on small Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Lead Participant:
BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED
Abstract
We are developing Remotely Piloted Aircraft ("RPA") for use in scientific (ice thickness
monitoring), commercial (oil and mineral exploration) and state (border patrol) applications.
The greatest technical challenge to the use of RPA, operating Beyond Visual Line Of Sight
("BVLOS"), is the deployment of an effective, all weather, collision detection system,
combined with an airborne collision avoidance capability.
This is a requirement that has been raised at many RPA conferences and is top of the list of
technology challenges noted by the European Defence Agency . It has also been a
requirement of our potential RPA customers, including companies engaged in oil and gas
exploration and production activities.
Development of a solution has been very slow due to shrinking R&D budgets. We have
already demonstrated in prototype form a collision detection system based on the use of two
cameras in a stereo imaging configuration. However, this solution can only be used on a clear
day under Visual Flight Rules.
We plan to explore the market for, and commercial viability of, a novel approach in which we
use a small RADAR unit, based on an enhancement to a relatively inexpensive and
lightweight maritime (yacht) scanning RADAR unit, to augment a stereo vision system, to
enable the detection of airborne objects (a) at night, (b) in cloud and (c) approaching from the
sun. Initially we thought the use of a yacht RADAR unit might not be permitted on an
airborne platform. However, we have noticed that the US Federal Aviation Authority has
authorised the use of this very type of RADAR as an "Avian RADAR" at US airports, to
detect birds at up to 2 km.
There is currently a rapidly growing interest in the use of RPA in civilian applications
throughout the world. Apart from their application in "dull, dirty and dangerous" operations, a
societal benefit will be environmental, since RPA use less fuel than their manned counterparts
per kilometre travelled.
monitoring), commercial (oil and mineral exploration) and state (border patrol) applications.
The greatest technical challenge to the use of RPA, operating Beyond Visual Line Of Sight
("BVLOS"), is the deployment of an effective, all weather, collision detection system,
combined with an airborne collision avoidance capability.
This is a requirement that has been raised at many RPA conferences and is top of the list of
technology challenges noted by the European Defence Agency . It has also been a
requirement of our potential RPA customers, including companies engaged in oil and gas
exploration and production activities.
Development of a solution has been very slow due to shrinking R&D budgets. We have
already demonstrated in prototype form a collision detection system based on the use of two
cameras in a stereo imaging configuration. However, this solution can only be used on a clear
day under Visual Flight Rules.
We plan to explore the market for, and commercial viability of, a novel approach in which we
use a small RADAR unit, based on an enhancement to a relatively inexpensive and
lightweight maritime (yacht) scanning RADAR unit, to augment a stereo vision system, to
enable the detection of airborne objects (a) at night, (b) in cloud and (c) approaching from the
sun. Initially we thought the use of a yacht RADAR unit might not be permitted on an
airborne platform. However, we have noticed that the US Federal Aviation Authority has
authorised the use of this very type of RADAR as an "Avian RADAR" at US airports, to
detect birds at up to 2 km.
There is currently a rapidly growing interest in the use of RPA in civilian applications
throughout the world. Apart from their application in "dull, dirty and dangerous" operations, a
societal benefit will be environmental, since RPA use less fuel than their manned counterparts
per kilometre travelled.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED | £40,000 | £ 24,000 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Joseph Barnard (Project Manager) |