Advancing Mmwave Altimetry for Unmanned Aerial Systems: a Signal Processing Framework for Optimized Waveform Design

dc.authorid Kara, Ali/0000-0002-9739-7619
dc.authorscopusid 58781762100
dc.authorscopusid 51763497600
dc.authorscopusid 7102824862
dc.authorscopusid 35408917600
dc.authorwosid Awan, Maaz/LEL-9790-2024
dc.authorwosid Kara, Ali/R-8038-2019
dc.contributor.author Awan, Maaz Ali
dc.contributor.author Dalveren, Yaser
dc.contributor.author Kara, Ali
dc.contributor.author Derawi, Mohammad
dc.contributor.other Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
dc.date.accessioned 2024-11-05T20:18:59Z
dc.date.available 2024-11-05T20:18:59Z
dc.date.issued 2024
dc.department Atılım University en_US
dc.department-temp [Awan, Maaz Ali] Atilim Univ, Grad Sch Nat & Appl Sci, Dept Elect & Elect Engn, TR-06830 Ankara, Turkiye; [Dalveren, Yaser] Izmir Bakircay Univ, Dept Elect & Elect Engn, TR-35665 Izmir, Turkiye; [Kara, Ali] Gazi Univ, Dept Elect & Elect Engn, TR-06570 Ankara, Turkiye; [Derawi, Mohammad] Norwegian Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Elect Syst, N-2815 Gjovik, Norway en_US
dc.description Kara, Ali/0000-0002-9739-7619 en_US
dc.description.abstract This research advances millimeter-wave (mmWave) altimetry for unmanned aerial systems (UASs) by optimizing performance metrics within the constraints of inexpensive automotive radars. Leveraging the software-defined architecture, this study encompasses the intricacies of frequency modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) design for three distinct stages of UAS flight: cruise, landing approach, and touchdown within a signal processing framework. Angle of arrival (AoA) estimation, traditionally employed in terrain mapping applications, is largely unexplored for UAS radar altimeters (RAs). Time-division multiplexing multiple input-multiple output (TDM-MIMO) is an efficient method for enhancing angular resolution without compromising the size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics. Accordingly, this work argues the potential of AoA estimation using TDM-MIMO to augment situational awareness in challenging landing scenarios. To this end, two corner cases comprising landing a small-sized drone on a platform in the middle of a water body are included. Likewise, for the touchdown stage, an improvised rendition of zoom fast Fourier transform (ZFFT) is investigated to achieve millimeter (mm)-level range accuracy. Aptly, it is proposed that a mm-level accurate RA may be exploited as a software redundancy for the critical weight-on-wheels (WoW) system in fixed-wing commercial UASs. Each stage is simulated as a radar scenario using the specifications of automotive radar operating in the 77-81 GHz band to optimize waveform design, setting the stage for field verification. This article addresses challenges arising from radial velocity due to UAS descent rates and terrain variation through theoretical and mathematical approaches for characterization and mandatory compensation. While constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithms have been reported for ground detection, a comparison of their variants within the scope UAS altimetry is limited. This study appraises popular CFAR variants to achieve optimized ground detection performance. The authors advocate for dedicated minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) for UAS RAs. Lastly, this body of work identifies potential challenges, proposes solutions, and outlines future research directions. en_US
dc.description.woscitationindex Science Citation Index Expanded
dc.identifier.doi 10.3390/drones8090440
dc.identifier.issn 2504-446X
dc.identifier.issue 9 en_US
dc.identifier.scopus 2-s2.0-85205041400
dc.identifier.scopusquality Q2
dc.identifier.uri https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090440
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/10252
dc.identifier.volume 8 en_US
dc.identifier.wos WOS:001323874200001
dc.identifier.wosquality Q2
dc.institutionauthor Dalveren, Yaser
dc.institutionauthor Kara, Ali
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Mdpi en_US
dc.relation.publicationcategory Makale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı en_US
dc.rights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess en_US
dc.scopus.citedbyCount 2
dc.subject mmWave en_US
dc.subject TDM-MIMO en_US
dc.subject altimetry en_US
dc.subject UAS en_US
dc.subject FMCW en_US
dc.subject CFAR en_US
dc.subject ZFFT en_US
dc.subject WoW en_US
dc.title Advancing Mmwave Altimetry for Unmanned Aerial Systems: a Signal Processing Framework for Optimized Waveform Design en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dc.wos.citedbyCount 2
dspace.entity.type Publication
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