Multi-functional Sensing Platform for UAV With Dual-polarization and Microphysics-based Hazard Monitoring

Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) and its subcontractor, The University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman, propose to develop innovative compact multi-channel, multi-polarization X-band weather phased array radar to be deployed on Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV). The system is based on integrated microwave technology and embedded digital receivers and has the following capabilities: 1. Simultaneous monitoring of weather hazards and air-traffic. The proposed system combines the airborne collision avoidance sensors and the weather monitoring capabilities. The concept fully supports cooperative target detection by incorporating Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and transponder receivers for severe weathers. It also supports non-cooperative target detection and tracking through pulsed-Doppler radar mode, space-time adaptive processing and communicating with ground-based radar systems; 2. 3D wind-field profiling based on Antenna Interferometer technology. With the capability of digital-beam-forming and antenna scanning, it is possible for the proposed multi-channel system to perform 3D wind profiling, and measure microburst, windshear and turbulence in real-time. 3. Simple and proven hazard detection and classification based on hazard microphysics. Microphysics-based extraction of weather hazard spectrum features greatly simplifies their detection by using a priori knowledge, thus avoiding tremendous ‘data training’ needed with other algorithms. This approach can also calibrate other on-board sensors under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).