Master thesis : Radar Detection for Drones

Abstract

The project seeks to use a mmWave radar sensor for drone detection, the work aimed to implement a radar module to automatize the drone applications. The main purpose of this sensor is obstacle avoidance against other drones or any other object either, and to exploit the advantages of such a system over camera systems that could not be as efficient as radar ones by night or in a foggy environment. The research seeks to study the use of the AWR1642 Obstacle Detection Sensor EValuationModule in particular which has been chosen among other radar modules based on some requirements, such as, maximum range and speed, resolution, and power consumption. It aimed to discover its real capabilities to validate its use for drone applications. After performing a set of tests using the radar module to grasp its functionality well, the main structure of the transmitted signal (the chirp) was analyzed to see how its configurable parameters can be programmed, it was possible then to design a signal based on the user’s desire application to cover a higher range and speed. Then a configuration of the device using the designed signal has been performed and test it against different kinds of objects, dynamic and static ones, in an open and closed environment to obtain a data set for each test. The research concludes that the chosen mmWave radar module is not as efficient as was expected to be used for drone detection or to be implemented on the drone itself, and it is not recommended in such an application. However, the device proved that it is very efficient in automotive applications detection for static and dynamic objects, and it provides large flexibility for the development part as well.