Design, Build and Demonstrate Prototype UAV Collision Avoidance (CA) / Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Device

Flying Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVS) in airspace inhabited by manned aircraft creates unique air traffic problems. The UAV may be operating autonomously - not in contact with its remote operator - and the small visual and radar signatures of the UAV contribute to the problem. Existing commercial transponders and militarized IFF units are much too bulky, heavy and power hungry to use in the Hand-Launched and other mini UAVS. A collision avoidance/identification friend or foe (CA/IFF) device specially designed for this scenario is needed. The proposed device will detect manned aircraft in the UAV's airspace and advise both the UAV operator and the manned aircraft pilot of the UAV's altitude, range and bearing from the manned aircraft. A proprietary technique will be implemented to communicate "traffic advisories" from the UAV device to the manned aircraft's pilot. Additionally, the device will behave as a Mode 3/AC transponder when interrogated from FAA and/or military assets. The use of MMIC, low-voltage, VLSI and high-density packaging techniques will yield a small, light-weight, power efficient CA/IFF device for the HL/UAV.