Developing A Millimeter-Wave Radar For An Unmanned Helicopter

By Shunichi Futatsumori, surveillance and communications department, Electronic Navigation Research Institute

The Electronic Navigation Research Institute emphasizes research that contributes to increases in volume and promotes the safety of air traffic. This case study describes the challenges involved with developing a millimeter-wave radar for an unmanned helicopter. The radar had to be flexible enough to accommodate detailed functional additions and specification changes, and had to operate as part of a comprehensive obstacle detection system. The article also explains how the researchers solved those challenges by using software and hardware from National Instruments.