UAV radar imaging: system prototype, data processing and experimental assessments

Abstract

The paper summarizes recent research activities concerning design and testing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) radar imaging system. The activities regard: i) the assembly of the system; ii) the development of imaging approaches; iii) the experimental validation. The system uses a compact, light, high frequency and wideband, short-range radar. The data processing approaches are capable of accounting for the UAV positions, as estimated by means of a strategy based on the Carrier-phase Differential Global Positioning System (CDGPS) technique, as well as data gathered along single and multiple measurement lines. The validation tests account for both single and multiple line surveys carried out in autonomous flight mode. Specifically, we present a preliminary validation carried out on a properly designed scenario and a measurement campaign performed at the Archeological Park of Paestum & Velia.