Development of a 3-Dimensional Radar Based Airspace Monitoring and Surveillance Instrument
A 3-Dimensional RADAR Based Airspace Monitoring and Surveillance Instrument
This concept is to take individual, geographically separated, dual-frequency, portable, air-defense-RADAR systems, the PSTAR built by Lockheed Martin and integrate them together into a state-of-the-art airspace monitoring tool with 3-dimensional target positioning. The intent is provide an integrated airspace-monitoring tool with the following capabilities:
1. Ability to make measurements for latitude, longitude, and altitude of an airborne object in the instruments observing area
2. With use of multiple units to cover any single RADAR’s installation cone of silence
3. To increase acquisition and tracking performance when compared to a single RADAR site
The purpose for this tool is to create an instrument to:
1. Monitor airspace activity
2. Enhance situational awareness during operations
Specific tasks being undertaken include:
1. Characterizing the available RADAR units both theoretical and with experimentation and testing.
2. Creating an interferometric altitude capability from the existing hardware.
3. Integrating multiple units together for the purpose of:
a. Covering any RADAR’s “cone of silence”
b. Improving accuracy
c. Improving reliability
Year 1, Phase I Statement of Work
RADAR Algorithm Development
1. Determine the PSTAR available output, including the output communications format.
2. Assuming post-processed output is available (i.e. azimuth and range) determine the estimated error on post-processed parameter. Estimated error will be determined by
a. Theoretical understanding of the radar system.
b. Extensive testing against varying airborne targets at known location and velocity to create a data set for further analysis.
3. Assess potential interference problems associated with the deployment of the remote site radars.
4. Create a test data set through experimental measurements from three deployed radar systems observing the same airborne targets at know and varying locations and velocity.
5. Document the knowledge and understanding gained about the RADAR’s performance, including sensitivities to the detectable features. This documentation will become a portion of the final project report.
6. Develop airspace activity monitoring algorithm to provide full three-dimensional location information of all targets in airspace.
Instrument Development
1. Identify and acquire hardware for the remote site including radio transceiver, embedded computer, and GPS receiver.
2. Work with others, including Lincoln Laboratories on a standardized format for sharing the resulting instruments data.
3. Integrate and test remote site hardware.
Program Management
1. Prepare year 1 written progress report.
2. Present year 1 results at FAA Unmanned Aircraft working group meeting and the Center for General Aviation (CGAR) annual meeting.