Frequency band analysis and comparison of localisation techniques for drones using microphone array measurements

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Signal Processing
• Robotics

Background:

• Acoustic localization of drones is crucial for surveillance and security.
• Traditional methods face challenges with accuracy and range, especially with multiple sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess a grid-free differential evolution approach for drone acoustic localization.
• To investigate the impact of frequency band selection on localization performance.
• To determine localization ranges for various drone types.

Main Methods:

• Employing differential evolution for grid-free 3D drone position estimation.
• Analyzing acoustic data across multiple, narrow frequency bands spanning a wide range.
• Evaluating localization performance for six distinct drone models.

Main Results:

• Successful 3D acoustic localization of drones in the near-field.
• Accurate angular localization achieved at greater distances.
• Optimized frequency band usage enhances multi-source detection and extends localization range.

Conclusions:

• The grid-free differential evolution method is effective for drone acoustic localization.
• Strategic frequency band selection is key to maximizing drone detection and localization range.
• The study provides insights into localization capabilities across different drone types.