Jazmin Li
With drones becoming more accessible and easier to operate, there is an increasing concern about their potential to interfere with secure locations, such as airports. Traditional radar systems are designed to detect large aircraft with a significant radar cross-section (RCS), but they often struggle to identify small, fast-moving objects like drones. While some drones may appear on airport radar, most conventional radar systems cannot distinguish whether the detected object is a drone, a bird, or another small object. Therefore, specialised drone detection radar systems are being developed to address this issue and improve airport security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can airport radar detect drones? | Yes, but not all airport radar systems can detect drones at the level needed to maintain security. |
| How does radar work? | Radar systems emit short pulses of radio-frequency waves. If there is an object in the way, the echoes or reflections of the signal are captured by the radar antenna and amplified to identify the nature of the object. |
| How do radars detect drones? | Radar technology has traditionally been used to locate large, long-distance aircraft with a large radar cross-section (RCS). Commercial drones have a much smaller RCS, so high-resolution radars need to be specifically designed for drone detection. |
| How do high-resolution radars detect drones? | Micro-Doppler radar can detect different movement speeds inside moving objects. Drone propellers move at a different speed than a bird's wings, allowing micro-Doppler radar to distinguish between the two. |
| Are there other ways to detect drones? | Yes, devices like DJI Aeroscope detect drones via the frequencies they operate on. This also shows the location of the operator via the remote control's frequency. |
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What You'll Learn
Radar clutter and limitations
Radar clutter, or ground clutter, refers to objects and signals that radar systems are designed to ignore, such as birds, insects, or objects close to the ground. However, drones can sometimes be mistaken for radar clutter, especially when they are small, flying close to the ground, or made of plastic or carbon fibre, which do not reflect radar signals well. Radar systems can also be tricked by drones hovering in one place, as this changes how radar signals bounce back.
Radar systems have limitations in their range and depth of field, which drones can bypass. They also have a limited field of view, with some sensors only covering 90 degrees, and others 120 degrees. To achieve 360-degree coverage, some radar systems rotate and send signals in all directions, but this is expensive.
Traditional radar technology is designed to detect large aircraft with high Radar Cross-Sections (RCS), which measures how detectable an object is by radar. Drones, especially commercial drones, tend to have a low RCS, similar in size to a bird, and can be missed by radar systems. Even if a radar system detects a small object, it may not be able to identify what that object is.
To overcome these limitations, airports can employ drone detection technology that is specifically designed to identify drones. This includes micro-doppler radar, which can distinguish drones from birds by detecting the different speeds of their propellers. Drone detection radar can be used in tandem with RF sensors, which have a 360-degree field of vision, to provide full coverage of an area.
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Drone detection technology
Drones are more accessible than ever, even long-range drones, with starting prices as low as $200. With drones being so attainable, there is concern about their potential to interfere with secure locations like military bases, power plants, sensitive government-run locations, private land, and airports.
While some drones do appear on radar, most traditional radar cannot detect that the object is a drone. Radar has limitations like range and depth of field, which in some cases, drone technology can bypass. If the radar is programmed to exclude 'radar clutter' like birds or objects close to the ground, detecting a drone becomes even more complex. Distinguishing between drones and other small, fast-moving objects is crucial as it prevents false alarms or costly shutdowns.
Drone monitoring equipment can be passive (simply looking or listening) or active (emitting a signal and analysing what comes back). Detection alone is not enough; classification is also useful. Technology that separates drones from other types of objects like birds and planes is important. Some counter-drone technology uses radio energy to detect an object. Drone detection radar sends out a signal and uses the reflection as it bounces off an object to measure its direction and distance. Most radars are designed not to pick up small targets, but specialist counter-drone technology includes radar that tracks smaller objects like drones with ease. RF analysers consist of one or more antennas to receive radio waves and a processor to analyse the RF spectrum to detect radio communication between a drone and its controller. Some systems can identify the more common drone makes and models, while others can even identify the MAC addresses of the drone and controller.
Optical sensors collect light at a range of wavelengths, including visible and infrared, as well as thermal radiation, to detect drones day and night. Recent advances in optical sensor technology have improved resolution and processing power in the form of AI-powered detection, tracking, and classification. Acoustic sensors can also be used to detect the sound made by a drone and calculate its direction.
Some of the leading companies in the drone detection space include Dedrone and AARTOS. Dedrone's technology is known for its scalability, flexibility, and effectiveness in detecting, tracking, identifying, and mitigating drone threats. AARTOS has the highest drone detection range on the market (40 km consumer UAV / 80 km military UAV) and has been installed in over 100+ systems worldwide.
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Micro-Doppler radar
While some drones do appear on airport radar systems, most traditional radar systems cannot detect that the object in question is a drone. This is because drones are often made of plastic, with a radar cross-section (RCS) similar in size to that of a small bird. Traditional radar systems rely on the RCS of an aircraft for detection, but this may not always be adequate for detecting drones.
This is where Micro-Doppler radar comes in. Micro-Doppler radar can accurately distinguish between birds, drones, and other moving objects. It focuses on the unique micro-Doppler signatures emitted by birds and drones during flight. Micro-Doppler is produced by the periodic movement of any structural component of an object, which creates micro-motion, inducing side-bands about the bulk Doppler frequency. The phase of the radar return signal from such an object will change accordingly.
In simpler terms, Micro-Doppler radar can differentiate between the wing movement of a bird and the rotation of a drone propeller. It can also identify hovering and autonomous drones, unlike radio frequency analysers. This is crucial in preventing false alarms or costly shutdowns, saving time and resources.
By building a comprehensive database of unique signatures for different airborne objects, Micro-Doppler radar can automatically classify airborne objects, discount non-drones, and warn users of potential threats. This technology is simple, intuitive, and easy to use, providing 360-degree coverage of an area and running 24/7. It is an effective solution for monitoring drone swarms and preventing potential attacks.
Overall, Micro-Doppler radar is an essential tool for drone detection, providing robust detection capabilities and supporting airport security.
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Remote ID devices
While some drones may appear on radar, most traditional radar cannot identify them as drones. This is because drones are often made of plastic, with a radar cross-section the size of a small bird, and traditional radar is programmed to filter out such "clutter".
To address this issue, some airports have implemented drone detection technology, such as DJI Aeroscope, which can identify drones through the frequencies they operate on. This technology also provides information tied to the drone's serial number, including registration, and can locate the operator via the remote control frequency.
Another solution is Remote ID, which is now required for most drones in the US. Remote ID allows drones in flight to broadcast identification and location information that can be received by other parties. This enables better safety and security for drone operations and helps authorities locate the control station when a drone is flying unsafely or in a restricted area.
There are several Remote ID devices available on the market, such as the Holybro RemoteID Module, which is a low-cost, small-size, and lightweight module that broadcasts information about UAVs in flight through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Another option is the Dronetag BS, a tiny circuit board that can fit inside any aircraft required to be Remote ID compliant. It transmits data via Bluetooth and has a range of up to 3 km. These devices help drone operators comply with Remote ID regulations and improve the safety and security of their operations.
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Drone accessibility and security risks
Drones are more accessible than ever, with long-range drones starting at prices as low as $200. This accessibility has given rise to concerns about their potential to interfere with secure locations, such as military bases, power plants, sensitive government-run locations, private land, and airports. The affordability and ease of use of drones have led to an increase in drone-related incidents, with entertainment venues and public spaces becoming settings for such incidents, posing risks to crowds and performers. Airports, in particular, have started to implement various measures to detect and counter drones, such as DJI Aeroscope, which detects drones through their operating frequencies, and drone detection radar, which provides 360-degree coverage of an area and can be deployed 24/7.
However, standard civilian radar often fails to detect drones due to their small size and plastic composition, which can be mistaken for "radar clutter" like birds or objects close to the ground. This limitation poses a significant challenge for airport security, as distinguishing between drones and other small, fast-moving objects is crucial to prevent false alarms and costly shutdowns.
To address this issue, specifically-built drone detection radar employs micro-doppler classification technology to identify drones by their propellers. This technology provides a more robust level of detection and is supported by experts in the drone detection field, making it an effective solution for improving airport security. Additionally, remote ID is now required on most drones in the US, and they can be detected through the transmission of RF signals.
Beyond the physical accessibility of drones, there are also cybersecurity concerns. Drones can exploit vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks, enabling them to overtake computers and accessories, steal data, and capture passwords. This poses a significant threat to facilities that handle sensitive data. Furthermore, drones can be used to smuggle contraband, including drugs, cellular devices, liquor, and weapons, into correctional facilities, endangering inmates, prison staff, and the local community.
To counter these security risks, advancements in counter-drone technology are being developed and tested in controlled test ranges. These technologies include directed energy systems, such as lasers and microwaves, which can be used to counter unauthorized UAS in domestic airspace. However, policy limitations and unclear enforcement responsibilities pose challenges in implementing these countermeasures effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional radar systems are not always able to detect drones, especially if they are designed to filter out "clutter" like birds and other small objects. However, some airports have implemented drone detection radar, which is specifically designed to identify drones by their propellers.
Radar systems emit short pulses of radio-frequency waves. If there is an object in the way, the signal bounces back to the radar antenna, which amplifies the reflected signal to identify the object's size and speed.
Commercial drones have a low radar cross-section (RCS), meaning they are not very reflective and only have a few components that can reflect radar signals. This makes them difficult to detect and identify, as they appear similar to birds on radar.
Airports can use drone detection technology, such as micro-Doppler radar, which can distinguish between the movement speeds of different objects. This technology can be integrated with cameras and security systems to provide early warnings of potential threats.
