Today, there is an exponential increase in drones in the air, making safe management of low-altitude airspace a challenge, especially in densely populated urban areas, where drones could pose a danger to both manned aircraft and public safety.
The air traffic control system for drones
In response to this problem, a team of engineers at Brigham Young University ( BYU ) has developed a solution that could improve the way we manage air traffic for drones. This system is based on small, low-cost radars, which can effectively track drones in real time, even in dense or low-altitude airspace. For example, last month, an unauthorized drone collided with a ” Super Scooper ” aircraft over the Los Angeles wildfires, delaying firefighting efforts.
Although vehicle radar systems are powerful, they have one major limitation: they are not effective at detecting objects at low altitudes, below 400 feet. Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has implemented regulations for small drones, but effective control remains a problem, especially in areas with congested or restricted air traffic.
So, radar deployment is not a new technology, but its application in air traffic control for drones has been limited due to the high costs of the equipment. However, BYU engineers, led by Professor Cammy Peterson, have designed a system that uses small, inexpensive radars with great capabilities for detecting aircraft at low altitude.
Instead of having a $10 million satellite dish like you see at an airport, we have a simple device that can be built for just a few hundred dollars. Small radars don’t have all the capabilities of a high-end radar, but a network of small radars can work together effectively.
Karl Warnick, co-author of the research and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at BYU
How the system works
The system proposed by the BYU researchers uses a network of small radars connected to ground stations , spread across a specific area. Each radar points skyward to detect any object moving within its field of view. When one of the radars identifies an object, it records its position and that of the radar unit.
This process allows for the generation of a global coordinate frame , which is shared with other ground stations to create an accurate picture of air traffic in the area. The system can be used to prevent collisions between drones and other aerial vehicles.
As the number of drones in the airspace grows, more radar units can be added to expand coverage. In addition, the system can be installed on existing structures, such as light poles or cell phone towers, which would facilitate expansion without the need for large infrastructure investments.
“This system is not only efficient, but also flexible. If more capacity is required, more radars can simply be added to the network, adjusting to the specific needs of each area,” said Tim McLain, a BYU mechanical engineering professor.
Each radar has a field of view, as it is pointed up into the sky. The goal is to calibrate the radars so that they all see an individual aircraft in the same place in the sky.
Tim McLain, BYU professor of mechanical engineering.
A safer future for drones
BYU technology plans to improve airspace safety as drones become an integral part of modern transportation and logistics. Large companies like Amazon or Walmart , which use drones for their deliveries, could benefit from this system to ensure that aerial vehicles share the same space efficiently and safely.
However, there are still challenges to overcome . Adverse weather conditions or a physical impact against a radar unit could affect the system. However, researchers have incorporated an online calibration to correct any errors or drift, further improving the accuracy and reliability of the system.
The BYU research, funded by the National Science Foundation , marks a major step toward a safer and more accessible air traffic control system for drones. With this technology, future drone operations could be conducted with greater precision and safety, contributing to the development of a more efficient and organized airspace.
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Source and photos: BYU
