A Mode-Switchable Photonic Radar System for Aerial LSS Targets Detection and Classification

Abstract

A mode-switchable continuous wave (CW) and frequency modulated CW (FMCW), photonic radar system with associated signal processing, and artificial intelligent (AI)-based classification algorithms are the need of the hour to accurately detect and classify today's low-altitude slow-speed and smaller size (LSS) targets. We have designed a mode-switchable X-band photonic radar system, whose capabilities are verified with the proposed range/body-Doppler/micro-Doppler imaging techniques and an AI-based classifier; operating six different LSS targets (front-propeller, small-top rotor, big-top rotor, bionic-bird, tiny-helicopter + bionic-bird, and quadcopter). The respective open-field experimental results are discussed/analyzed in terms of detection beat-frequency, range–time map, and range–velocity images in the FMCW mode while the frequency–time images and AI-based six-classes classifications in the CW mode. The obtained results proved that, with the support of designed X-band photonic radar system and proposed signal processing and classification techniques/algorithms, we could able to achieve the $ 0.1$ m spatial resolution with the classification accuracy of 98.5%.