Antenna design of a radar phased array using drone swarms
(2025) EITM01 20242Department of Electrical and Information Technology
- Abstract
- A distributed phased array allows full position freedom of the individual radar system nodes, still resulting in corporative and cohesive measurements. Recent and ongoing advancements in synchronization between the radar system nodes make the implementation of such a system increasingly feasible. To fully exploit the freedom of node placement, the use of drones as system carriers is investigated. The use of drones offer efficient maneuvering, enabling fast position adjustments and increases access to areas typically hard to reach. However, implementing such a system is not without challenges. These include insuring coherence between the system nodes as well as integrating the system at the drone with limited space and load capacity. In... (More)
- A distributed phased array allows full position freedom of the individual radar system nodes, still resulting in corporative and cohesive measurements. Recent and ongoing advancements in synchronization between the radar system nodes make the implementation of such a system increasingly feasible. To fully exploit the freedom of node placement, the use of drones as system carriers is investigated. The use of drones offer efficient maneuvering, enabling fast position adjustments and increases access to areas typically hard to reach. However, implementing such a system is not without challenges. These include insuring coherence between the system nodes as well as integrating the system at the drone with limited space and load capacity. In this thesis, antennas are proposed to be installed on the drone. The result is based on simulations, and include a modeled drone along with the antenna, feed and mounting arrangements. One of the proposed designs, the half-wavelength dipole antenna, yields a lightweight solution with desired radiation properties for a potential radar application. This design supports a distributed phased array forming a common wavefront. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Picture a classic green radar screen with a sweeping beam that illuminated targets as it rotates. This image has long been associated with radar, but also ties directly to one of the most iconic and early uses of radar systems, i.e., search and detect. Originally designed to mechanically scan a volume of space and detect objects, such as aircrafts, by measuring their distance and velocity, this radar application has been vital for decades. Even today, this role remains one of the most significant radar applications. However, at its core, a radar system is simply a sensor, a tool that measures range and velocity. Its true potential lies in how creatively we apply it, driven by innovative ideas and solutions.
When it comes to sensors,... (More) - Picture a classic green radar screen with a sweeping beam that illuminated targets as it rotates. This image has long been associated with radar, but also ties directly to one of the most iconic and early uses of radar systems, i.e., search and detect. Originally designed to mechanically scan a volume of space and detect objects, such as aircrafts, by measuring their distance and velocity, this radar application has been vital for decades. Even today, this role remains one of the most significant radar applications. However, at its core, a radar system is simply a sensor, a tool that measures range and velocity. Its true potential lies in how creatively we apply it, driven by innovative ideas and solutions.
When it comes to sensors, whether to explain a concept or draw inspiration for new innovative ideas, it has proven helpful to look at one of the ultimate designers: nature. Systems in nature have been optimized by evolution over hundreds of thousands of years and offer great examples of both deceptively simple and quite complex solutions. Take, for example, the security system of the meerkats. These small mammals have developed a highly effective way to monitor their surroundings. Meerkats take turns standing guard on elevated spots like hills, either in a fixed location or spread out across different points near their home. When they suspect or detect a threat, they communicate with one another in a coordinated response.
A phased distributed radar array has embraced similar principles and addresses the two concepts discussed so far. First, unlike traditional systems, it can steer a beam without requiring a mechanically rotating platform. Instead, it uses the signal properties of individual sensors, which work together to create a coordinated final signal. Second, much like the meerkats, each radar sensor in such a system operates independently but collaborates to form a comprehensive picture and make decisions about the scene. The key term here is coordination, ensuring that the sensors function as one. Synchronizing multiple radar systems to cooperate effectively is a rapidly advancing field of research.
The focus of this thesis is to evaluate such a distributed radar system, with each radar implemented on a drone. This introduces additional challenges, including the limited space and weight that can be carried, as well as the limited mission time imposed by the drone platform. The primary goal of the project is to design an antenna, the unit responsible for transmitting and receiving the signal, that is tailored to meet these demands, while allowing drones to function as a cohesive and efficient radar array.
The radar phased array, which creates a coordinated final signal, was chosen as the application because it does not require the individual radar sensors to be steered. To achieve this, antennas must exhibit broad radiation patterns to ensure overlapping illumination, allowing signals from all units to combine effectively.
Three antenna types with broad radiation were investigated: the half-wavelength dipole antenna, the monopole antenna, and a characteristic mode antenna, where the drone itself functions as an antenna. Among these, the half-wavelength dipole antenna proved to be the most adaptable, as it delivered desired radiation properties when placed at various places around the drone. In addition, it remained lightweight and fully compatible with other components of the system, such as the unit that delivers the signal. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9183205
- author
- Norrud, Hanna LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- EITM01 20242
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Distributed Phased Array, Drone, Antenna Design, Radar, SDR
- report number
- LU/LTH-EIT 2025-1037
- language
- English
- id
- 9183205
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-31 10:15:38
- date last changed
- 2025-01-31 10:15:38
@misc{9183205,
abstract = {{A distributed phased array allows full position freedom of the individual radar system nodes, still resulting in corporative and cohesive measurements. Recent and ongoing advancements in synchronization between the radar system nodes make the implementation of such a system increasingly feasible. To fully exploit the freedom of node placement, the use of drones as system carriers is investigated. The use of drones offer efficient maneuvering, enabling fast position adjustments and increases access to areas typically hard to reach. However, implementing such a system is not without challenges. These include insuring coherence between the system nodes as well as integrating the system at the drone with limited space and load capacity. In this thesis, antennas are proposed to be installed on the drone. The result is based on simulations, and include a modeled drone along with the antenna, feed and mounting arrangements. One of the proposed designs, the half-wavelength dipole antenna, yields a lightweight solution with desired radiation properties for a potential radar application. This design supports a distributed phased array forming a common wavefront.}},
author = {{Norrud, Hanna}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Antenna design of a radar phased array using drone swarms}},
year = {{2025}},
}