Electro-Optical Sensor Selection based on Flight Test for Detect-and-Avoid in Phase Two UAS

Abstract

This paper proposed a proper Electro-Optical (EO)-based hardware of aircraft detection system to be satisfied with Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) Minimum Operational Performance Standard (MOPS) and latest researches. EO sensor is a typical Low Cost, Size, Weight, and Power (Low C-SWaP) sensor for low-speed Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) between 40 and 100 kts. The Low C-SWaP sensor is expected for surveillance and detection of non-cooperative aircraft for safe UAS and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) operation. The proposed EO hardware system is improved and validated by flight test. The effort of reduction of detection range for phase two is considered for sensor configuration. The flight test data was collected to apply the new definition of Well Clear for detection range reduction. Post-processing data with a new variable of Well Clear definition is provided to evaluate the proposed EO hardware. Finally, 6 EO sensors are installed to cover horizontal ± 110 degrees and vertical ± 15 degrees with about 4 km detection range.