Drone Detection and Classification using Passive Forward Scattering Radar

Radar is a system that can analyze object detection that uses radio waves to determine the range, angle or velocity of the object. The passive radar system consists of both transmitters, to generate microwaves domain and produce the electromagnetic waves for radio system, and the receiver, to receive and process the data obtain from the transmitter signal to determine the Doppler signature of the objects that can be used to detect any presence of drone, aircraft and guided missiles that pass through the system between the transmitter and receiver. The objective of this study was mainly to detect drones, which can be liken to a situation where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used, and the drone is mainly used by humans to enter or trespass private and secured zone. Besides that, this study can help improve the security at Malaysian borders or at important events, such as during the latest Malaysian 14th General Election, where man flew a drone during the nomination process. The detection can be done by differentiating the size of the drone and prototype, with a focus on the dimension. In this study, we used passive forward scattering radar for drone detection to get the Doppler signature. The Doppler signature is produced when the antenna detects the presence of the drone passing between the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter produces a power signal that transmits a frequency of Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and in this study, the frequencies used were 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The 1.8 GHz signal provided better quality compared to 2.6 GHz because it has wider and better network coverage known as 4G LTE as introduced by Maxis provider. Furthermore, all of the data collected was processed and analyzed using MATLAB software to classify drone and prototype signatures through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results. For future contribution of this project, it can be used at the airport to detect any unwanted drones trespassing the flight departure area, and important areas such as the Federal Administrative Centre of Malaysia, Putrajaya for spying purposes

GNSS-based passive radar techniques for maritime surveillance

The improvement of maritime traffic safety and security is a subject of growing interest, since the traffic is constantly increasing. In fact, a large number of human activities take place in maritime domain, varying from cruise and trading ships up to vessels involved in nefarious activities such as piracy, human smuggling or terrorist actions. The systems based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder cannot cope with non-cooperative or non-equipped vessels that instead can be detected, tracked and identified by means of radar system. In particular, passive bistatic radar (PBR) systems can perform these tasks without a dedicated transmitter, since they exploit illuminators of opportunity as transmitters. The lack of a dedicated transmitter makes such systems low cost and suitable to be employed in areas where active sensors cannot be placed such as, for example, marine protected areas. Innovative solutions based on terrestrial transmitters have been considered in order to increase maritime safety and security, but these kinds of sources cannot guarantee a global coverage, such as in open sea. To overcome this problem, the exploitation of global navigation satellites system (GNSS) as transmitters of opportunity is a prospective solution. The global, reliable and persistent nature of these sources makes them potentially able to guarantee the permanent monitoring of both coastal and open sea areas. To this aim, this thesis addresses the exploitation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) as transmitters of opportunity in passive bistatic radar (PBR) systems for maritime surveillance. The main limitation of this technology is the restricted power budget provided by navigation satellites, which makes it necessary to define innovative moving target detection techniques specifically tailored for the system under consideration. For this reason, this thesis puts forward long integration time techniques able to collect the signal energy over long time intervals (tens of seconds), allowing the retrieval of suitable levels of signal-to-disturbance ratios for detection purposes. The feasibility of this novel application is firstly investigated in a bistatic system configuration. A long integration time moving target detection technique working in bistatic range&Doppler plane is proposed and its effectiveness is proved against synthetic and experimental datasets. Subsequently the exploitation of multiple transmitters for the joint detection and localization of vessels at sea is also investigated. A single-stage approach to jointly detect and localize the ship targets by making use of long integration times (tens of seconds) and properly exploiting the spatial diversity offered by such a configuration is proposed. Furthermore, the potential of the system to extract information concerning the detected target characteristics for further target classification is assessed

Improving Flood Detection and Monitoring through Remote Sensing

As climate-change- and human-induced floods inflict increasing costs upon the planet, both in terms of lives and environmental damage, flood monitoring tools derived from remote sensing platforms have undergone improvements in their performance and capabilities in terms of spectral, spatial and temporal extents and resolutions. Such improvements raise new challenges connected to data analysis and interpretation, in terms of, e.g., effectively discerning the presence of floodwaters in different land-cover types and environmental conditions or refining the accuracy of detection algorithms. In this sense, high expectations are placed on new methods that integrate information obtained from multiple techniques, platforms, sensors, bands and acquisition times. Moreover, the assessment of such techniques strongly benefits from collaboration with hydrological and/or hydraulic modeling of the evolution of flood events. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of recent advancements in the state of the art of flood monitoring methods and techniques derived from remotely sensed data

Radar Imaging in Challenging Scenarios from Smart and Flexible Platforms

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Statistical and Machine Learning Models for Remote Sensing Data Mining - Recent Advancements

This book is a reprint of the Special Issue entitled "Statistical and Machine Learning Models for Remote Sensing Data Mining - Recent Advancements" that was published in Remote Sensing, MDPI. It provides insights into both core technical challenges and some selected critical applications of satellite remote sensing image analytics

Robust and Flexible Persistent Scatterer Interferometry for Long-Term and Large-Scale Displacement Monitoring

Die Persistent Scatterer Interferometrie (PSI) ist eine Methode zur Überwachung von Verschiebungen der Erdoberfläche aus dem Weltraum. Sie basiert auf der Identifizierung und Analyse von stabilen Punktstreuern (sog. Persistent Scatterer, PS) durch die Anwendung von Ansätzen der Zeitreihenanalyse auf Stapel von SAR-Interferogrammen. PS Punkte dominieren die Rückstreuung der Auflösungszellen, in denen sie sich befinden, und werden durch geringfügige Dekorrelation charakterisiert. Verschiebungen solcher PS Punkte können mit einer potenziellen Submillimetergenauigkeit überwacht werden, wenn Störquellen effektiv minimiert werden. Im Laufe der Zeit hat sich die PSI in bestimmten Anwendungen zu einer operationellen Technologie entwickelt. Es gibt jedoch immer noch herausfordernde Anwendungen für die Methode. Physische Veränderungen der Landoberfläche und Änderungen in der Aufnahmegeometrie können dazu führen, dass PS Punkte im Laufe der Zeit erscheinen oder verschwinden. Die Anzahl der kontinuierlich kohärenten PS Punkte nimmt mit zunehmender Länge der Zeitreihen ab, während die Anzahl der TPS Punkte zunimmt, die nur während eines oder mehrerer getrennter Segmente der analysierten Zeitreihe kohärent sind. Daher ist es wünschenswert, die Analyse solcher TPS Punkte in die PSI zu integrieren, um ein flexibles PSI-System zu entwickeln, das in der Lage ist mit dynamischen Veränderungen der Landoberfläche umzugehen und somit ein kontinuierliches Verschiebungsmonitoring ermöglicht. Eine weitere Herausforderung der PSI besteht darin, großflächiges Monitoring in Regionen mit komplexen atmosphärischen Bedingungen durchzuführen. Letztere führen zu hoher Unsicherheit in den Verschiebungszeitreihen bei großen Abständen zur räumlichen Referenz. Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit Modifikationen und Erweiterungen, die auf der Grund lage eines bestehenden PSI-Algorithmus realisiert wurden, um einen robusten und flexiblen PSI-Ansatz zu entwickeln, der mit den oben genannten Herausforderungen umgehen kann. Als erster Hauptbeitrag wird eine Methode präsentiert, die TPS Punkte vollständig in die PSI integriert. In Evaluierungsstudien mit echten SAR Daten wird gezeigt, dass die Integration von TPS Punkten tatsächlich die Bewältigung dynamischer Veränderungen der Landoberfläche ermöglicht und mit zunehmender Zeitreihenlänge zunehmende Relevanz für PSI-basierte Beobachtungsnetzwerke hat. Der zweite Hauptbeitrag ist die Vorstellung einer Methode zur kovarianzbasierten Referenzintegration in großflächige PSI-Anwendungen zur Schätzung von räumlich korreliertem Rauschen. Die Methode basiert auf der Abtastung des Rauschens an Referenzpixeln mit bekannten Verschiebungszeitreihen und anschließender Interpolation auf die restlichen PS Pixel unter Berücksichtigung der räumlichen Statistik des Rauschens. Es wird in einer Simulationsstudie sowie einer Studie mit realen Daten gezeigt, dass die Methode überlegene Leistung im Vergleich zu alternativen Methoden zur Reduktion von räumlich korreliertem Rauschen in Interferogrammen mittels Referenzintegration zeigt. Die entwickelte PSI-Methode wird schließlich zur Untersuchung von Landsenkung im Vietnamesischen Teil des Mekong Deltas eingesetzt, das seit einigen Jahrzehnten von Landsenkung und verschiedenen anderen Umweltproblemen betroffen ist. Die geschätzten Landsenkungsraten zeigen eine hohe Variabilität auf kurzen sowie großen räumlichen Skalen. Die höchsten Senkungsraten von bis zu 6 cm pro Jahr treten hauptsächlich in städtischen Gebieten auf. Es kann gezeigt werden, dass der größte Teil der Landsenkung ihren Ursprung im oberflächennahen Untergrund hat. Die präsentierte Methode zur Reduzierung von räumlich korreliertem Rauschen verbessert die Ergebnisse signifikant, wenn eine angemessene räumliche Verteilung von Referenzgebieten verfügbar ist. In diesem Fall wird das Rauschen effektiv reduziert und unabhängige Ergebnisse von zwei Interferogrammstapeln, die aus unterschiedlichen Orbits aufgenommen wurden, zeigen große Übereinstimmung. Die Integration von TPS Punkten führt für die analysierte Zeitreihe von sechs Jahren zu einer deutlich größeren Anzahl an identifizierten TPS als PS Punkten im gesamten Untersuchungsgebiet und verbessert damit das Beobachtungsnetzwerk erheblich. Ein spezieller Anwendungsfall der TPS Integration wird vorgestellt, der auf der Clusterung von TPS Punkten basiert, die innerhalb der analysierten Zeitreihe erschienen, um neue Konstruktionen systematisch zu identifizieren und ihre anfängliche Bewegungszeitreihen zu analysieren

Analysis On Drone Detection and Classification in LTE-Based Passive Forward Scattering Radar System

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is most commonly used in connection with 4G networks with high spectral efficiency, high peak data rates, flexible in frequency and bandwidth. By utilizing LTE signal in passive forward scattering radar as transmitter, this system is able to create a microwave domain at the radar's receiver part which generated a moving object's Doppler signature. The emergence of guided missiles, humans, airplanes, and drones that travel through between the forward scatter radar systems can really be spotted with this passive radar system. This study's primary goal is to employ passive forward scattering radar and an LTE signal to detect drones, which are commonly used by individuals to violate or invade private and secure places. In detail, a drone was detected at two distinct heights of two meters (lower) and three meters (higher) from the ground by utilizing passive forward scattering radar to generate Doppler signature of the flying drone. This experimental work is conducted at two locations which are Taman Suria (UiTM, Shah Alam) and Teluk Kemang (Port Dickson), due to the telecommunication transmitter antenna transmits Long-Term Evolution (LTE) signal with frequency of 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The results of drone detection at various heights were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on all the experimental data obtained. According to the evaluation, the lower height of the drone performed better in classification and confusion matrices analysis than the upper height due to a larger cross-sectional area for the lower height of the drone that travelled through the forward scatter zone. In summary, the overall study clearly demonstrates the effective categorization of flying drone detection at upper and lower positions in Principle Component Analysis (PCA). For future contribution of this research, it can be used at the airport to detect any unwanted drones trespassing the flight departure area, and important areas such as the Federal Administrative Centre of Malaysia, Putrajaya for spying purposes

Analysis On Drone Detection and Classification in LTE-Based Passive Forward Scattering Radar System

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is most commonly used in connection with 4G networks with high spectral efficiency, high peak data rates, flexible in frequency and bandwidth. By utilizing LTE signal in passive forward scattering radar as transmitter, this system is able to create a microwave domain at the radar's receiver part which generated a moving object's Doppler signature. The emergence of guided missiles, humans, airplanes, and drones that travel through between the forward scatter radar systems can really be spotted with this passive radar system. This study's primary goal is to employ passive forward scattering radar and an LTE signal to detect drones, which are commonly used by individuals to violate or invade private and secure places. In detail, a drone was detected at two distinct heights of two meters (lower) and three meters (higher) from the ground by utilizing passive forward scattering radar to generate Doppler signature of the flying drone. This experimental work is conducted at two locations which are Taman Suria (UiTM, Shah Alam) and Teluk Kemang (Port Dickson), due to the telecommunication transmitter antenna transmits Long-Term Evolution (LTE) signal with frequency of 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz. The results of drone detection at various heights were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on all the experimental data obtained. According to the evaluation, the lower height of the drone performed better in classification and confusion matrices analysis than the upper height due to a larger cross-sectional area for the lower height of the drone that travelled through the forward scatter zone. In summary, the overall study clearly demonstrates the effective categorization of flying drone detection at upper and lower positions in Principle Component Analysis (PCA). For future contribution of this research, it can be used at the airport to detect any unwanted drones trespassing the flight departure area, and important areas such as the Federal Administrative Centre of Malaysia, Putrajaya for spying purposes

Fine-resolution mapping of microforms of a boreal bog using aerial images and waveform-recording LiDAR

Boreal bogs are important stores and sinks of atmospheric carbon whose surfaces are characterised by vegetation microforms. Efficient methods for monitoring their vegetation are needed because changes in vegetation composition lead to alteration in their function such as carbon gas exchange with the atmosphere. We investigated how airborne image and waveform-recording LiDAR data can be used for 3D mapping of microforms in an open bog which is a mosaic of pools, hummocks with a few stunted pines, hollows, intermediate surfaces and mud-bottom hollows. The proposed method operates on the bog surface, which is reconstructed using LiDAR. The vegetation was classified at 20 cm resolution. We hypothesised that LiDAR data describe surface topography, moisture and the presence and depth of field-layer vegetation and surface roughness; while multiple images capture the colours and texture of the vegetation, which are influenced by directional reflectance effects. We conclude that geometric LiDAR features are efficient predictors of microforms. LiDAR intensity and echo width were specific to moisture and surface roughness, respectively. Directional reflectance constituted 4-34 % of the variance in images and its form was linked to the presence of the field layer. Microform-specific directional reflectance patterns were deemed to be of marginal value in enhancing the classification, and RGB image features were inferior to LiDAR variables. Sensor fusion is an attractive option for fine-scale mapping of these habitats. We discuss the task and propose options for improving the methodology.Peer reviewe

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2006

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics