As this is quite a recent phenomenon, the regulation of drone flying is an ongoing challenge. Even the mere presence of a drone near an aircraft can have catastrophic consequences. Small commercial drones (categorised by the CAA as ‘small unmanned aerial vehicles’ weighing <20 kg, which typically range from 30 cm to 1 m in width) can be used for contraband or explosive material transportation, illegal video streaming and taking images of critical national infrastructure.

Along with their advantages, the easy availability of drones also poses significant security threats. Considering the various applications a drone can be used for, it has been predicted by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) in 2016 that the drone usage will be tripled by 2020 1. However, micro-Doppler features in the K-band radar returns also reveal the micro-motion characteristics of drones and birds very effectively.Ĭommercial drones have gained huge popularity in recent times due to their ease of operation, robust performance and low cost. Comparison of the signatures obtained at the two frequencies indicates that the micro-Doppler return from the W-band radar has higher SNR. The results clearly demonstrate that a phase coherent radar system can retrieve highly reliable and distinctive micro-Doppler signatures of these flying targets, both at K-band and W-band. Three different models of drones and four species of birds of varying sizes have been used for data collection. The data have been collected using two radars operating at different frequencies K-band (24 GHz) and W-band (94 GHz). Here, experimental measurements of micro-Doppler signatures of different types of drones and birds are presented and discussed. These distinctive signatures can then be used to differentiate a drone from a bird, along with studying them separately. Drones and birds both induce micro-Doppler signatures due to their propeller blade rotation and wingbeats, respectively. This paper presents the characteristic radar micro-Doppler properties of drones and birds.

Due to the substantial increase in the number of affordable drones in the consumer market and their regrettable misuse, there is a need for efficient technology to detect drones in airspace.

Alabama doppler radar