DEVICE AND METHOD FOR 3D SAMPLING WITH AVIAN RADAR

摘要

A 3D avian radar sampling system comprises a 3D volume scanning radar system and an avian track interpreter. The radar system tracks bird or other airborne targets within its local 3D surveillance volume which could be characterized by a cylinder with a typical range of 0 to 10 km and typical altitude of 0 to 10,000 ft above ground level. Special scanning methods are employed to ensure that volume revisit times are suitably short and track data produce 3D target trajectories, both of which are needed for avian activity reports to be meaningful and timely. The avian interpreter uses the track data from the volume scanning radar to create detailed avian activity reports that convey bird abundance and behavior within the 3D cylindrical volume on intervals including hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Hourly activity reports (updated typically every 15 minutes) provide enhanced situational awareness of developing hazards and are actionable, allowing operators to dispatch wildlife control personnel to respond to threats. Older activity reports help uncover recurring patterns to guide management efforts. Applications include bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH) management and natural resource management. The apparatus and methods are equally suitable for other airborne targets such as general aviation aircraft and ultralights, making the invention appropriate for homeland security, as well as ground-based sense and avoid systems needed for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).