Radar system for unmanned aerial vehicles

Background. Development of radar complex for detection of air, sea, and ground objects, as well as determination of their distance, speed and geometric parameters with automated processing. Aim. Creation of an airborne side-scan radar complex with synthetic aperture mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle. Methods. Application of digital signal processing methods for formation of radio holograms and extraction of information about objects. Use of algorithms for automatic processing and analysis of the obtained data in real time. Results. The structural-functional scheme of the X-band side-scan radar system consisting of an antenna, a receiving and transmitting unit, a container with a digital core and a micronavigation system is described. In high-resolution mode, a radar hologram formed on board and dropped via a communication channel to the control and processing station. Radar image formation and secondary processing is performed at the ground station in automatic mode. Conclusion. According to the results of the research it is shown that it is possible to realise real-time radar reception on board the carrier, as well as to install the considered airborne side-scan radar complex on an unmanned aerial vehicle together with an automated point of information processing and analysis.