The XY-DemoSAR miniature radar, which is connected to the drone, allows you to scan the terrain and manage the space within your range. The device, which was built at the Warsaw University of Technology, can help the authorities monitor the environment to detect unauthorized machinery and objects, illegal activities and natural hazards.
“Radar can be used, inter alia, to monitor security areas, e.g., by border authorities, police, fire brigade, for detection and tracking of suspicious and unauthorised drones and cars, but also for land surveying and mapping, land monitoring and surveillance, illegal clearing or trenching, backwaters, electric networks, water conduits and pipelines in general,” DSc Piotr Samczyński from the Technical University Warsaw, explains, quoted in the press release.
The XY-DemoSAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) device was developed by scientists at the Institute of Electronic Systems of the university, together with the company XY-Sensing, a spin-off of the university. According to the authors, these solutions can complement or even replace conventional optical systems.
Radar XY-DemoSAR operates in K-band (24 GHz). Enables the creation of two-dimensional maps of the earth’s surface with a high definition of up to 15 cm. Thanks to its low power consumption (up to 40 W) and low weight (0.5 kg), it can be mounted on a small drone with a lifting capacity of up to 0.8 kg and on larger flying machines. The radar range is between a few tens and several hundred meters. The operator has a current preview of the created maps.
Scientists point out that classic optical solutions are sensitive to daytime and weather conditions and cannot measure the direct distance and velocity of distant objects. The XY-DemoSAR radar can be operated continuously regardless of weather, cloudiness, daytime or nighttime. It is controlled remotely, e.g., from a smartphone. “It can be used where constant monitoring, comfortable use or restrictions on the use of radar transmission equipment are required,” the Centre for Innovation Management and Technology Transfer says.
As indicated in the release, the monitoring and imaging equipment available on the market is much larger and more expensive than the radar developed for the university. Most of them have to be mounted on manned aircraft, which requires overflight permits and is limited by aviation safety. For XY-DemoSAR, which is mounted on a small drone, the only condition may be that the drone is allowed to fly over the scanned area.
The research carried out by the Institute of Electronic Systems of the Warsaw University of Technology in the field of radio positioning includes the 2D and 3D-SAR/ISAR imaging radar.