Abstract

With the expansion of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technologies, there is a growing need for UAS Traffic Management (UTM) systems to promote safe operation and development. To be successful, these UTM systems must be able to detect and track multiple drones in the presence of clutter. This paper examines the implementation of different algorithms on a compact, X-band, frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in an effort to enable more accurate detection and estimation of drones. Several algorithms were tested through post processing on actual radar data to determine their accuracy and usefulness for this system. A promising result was achieved through the application of pulse-Doppler processing. Post processing on recorded radar data showed that a moving target indicator successfully separated a target from clutter. An improvement was also noted for the implementation of phase comparison monopulse which accurately estimated angle of arrival (AOA) and required fewer computations than digital beamforming.The second part of this thesis explains the work done on an adaptive broadband, real time beamformer for RF interference (RFI) mitigation. An effective communication system is reliable and can counteract the effects of jamming. Beamforming is an appropriate solution to RFI. To assist in this process FPGA firmware was developed to prepare signals for frequency domain beamforming. This system allows beamforming to be applied to 150 MHz of bandwidth. Future implementation will allow for signal reconstruction after beamforming and demodulation of a communication signal.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Electrical and Computer Engineering

Rights

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