Van Atta Arrays Exploited Towards Flying UAV Position Detection

The paper presents the initial implementation of a flying UAV position detection using a ground based interrogating radar and two alternative Van-Atta array configurations which are used for enhanced back-reflection. The two versions of Van Atta arrays are: planar 5 elements arrays attached on the four sides of a pyramidal structure and two 5 element conformal arrays attached on a conical surface. The operation frequency is 5.8 GHz and the radar cross section (RCS) of the arrays for different oblique angles are investigated. The planar array has maximum RCS value of 6dBsm at normal incidence while the conformal version Van-Atta array has superior performance in oblique incident wave directions since it demonstrates simulated RCS values greater than −5dBsm for a wide range of −20° to +20° angles on incidence.