Automotive Radar in a UAV to Assess Earth Surface Processes and Land Responses

Area of Science:

• Earth Science
• Environmental Monitoring
• Geomorphology

Background:

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly vital in earth science for monitoring environmental processes and landforms.
• Traditional professional radar sensors are expensive and difficult to handle, limiting their widespread use.
• There is a growing need for cost-effective and user-friendly radar solutions for UAV-based research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified and efficient radar system for UAVs using automotive radar technology.
• To introduce basic radar techniques and present specifications of two novel radar sensors.
• To demonstrate the functionality and suitability of the developed system for earth science applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a lightweight recording system integrating automotive radar sensors and a camera.
• Integration of the system into a UAV, with total system weights of 315g (small radar) and 450g (large radar).
• Conducting test flights and verification flights with both radar sensors to collect and analyze data.

Main Results:

• The developed recording system successfully captured radar data during UAV flights.
• The lightweight radar sensors proved suitable for integration and operation on UAVs.
• The system demonstrated autonomy, precision, and lightweight characteristics, essential for field research.

Conclusions:

• The developed UAV-based radar system is a viable and effective tool for earth science research.
• Automotive radar technology offers a promising, low-cost alternative for advanced environmental monitoring and landform analysis.
• The system's performance indicates its potential for future autonomous and precise earth observation missions.