LTE-based passive forward scattering radar for drone detection and classification

Abstract

Abstract Passive forward scattering radar is a system that consists of a transmitter that generates microwaves domain, and at the receiver part, receives LTE-based signal from the transmitter, which will result in the Doppler signature of any object. This system can actually be used for detecting the presence of guided missiles, human, aircraft and drone that pass through between the transmitter and receiver. For this study, the main objective is to detect a drone, which are mainly used by humans to trespass or enter secure and private areas. Recently, there have been a few cases of burglary in several states where they have made use of drones to monitor the owner of the house before entering that house. For that reason, this study can help to increase the security and protection against drone trespassing. Specifically, the detection of a drone was carried out by determining the Doppler signature of the drone at two different heights, which are 2 meters (lower) and 3 meters (upper) from the ground by using passive scattering radar. All of the experimental data collected from this study were processed using the MATLAB software to compare the result of drone detection at different heights through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results. This analysis, from the upper and lower heights, shows a good detection and classification of the drone, however lower height indicated better performance in PCA and confusion matrices analysis. This is due to the bigger cross-sectional area for lower height compared to the upper height of drone that passed through the forward scatter region. This is useful for border protection and monitoring.