Radar Based Avionics

Radar Based Avionics gives electronic sight to UAVs and small aircraft, that reach far beyond eyesight. Helicopters, drones and GA get the capability to navigate securely around obstacles and land safely.

We offer sense & avoid sensors through active and passive radar. We deliver 3D, 360-degree coverage systems with ample detection range to avoid (moving) obstacles. With our system unknown targets can be detected, while ‘known targets’ such as large buildings and wind generators are also used to verify navigation. Radar does not rely on transponder-technology and therefore senses all objects independent of infrastructure.

Specially for drones, our passive system continuously scans for reflections of ground-based transmitters. Radar Based Avionics has developed proprietary algorithms to determine the location, relative speed and vector of a reflection in a short range of time. Autopilots can adjust their course to avoid any collision.


Sense & Avoid for BVLOS UAV-operations

Also for drones, our radar has invaluable information for autopilots to avoid collisions.

RBA delivers a fully integrated robust setup independent of other collaborative systems. The overall system is not limited anymory by Line-of-Sight or visual conditions. The prototype for passive radar weighs less than 1kg. This systems makes a leap towards a 3D-range from 10m up to 3000m for a power consumption under 20W.

In total, our system brings these advantages:

  • Essential BVLOS operational risk mitigation possible for 'specific' category
  • The foundation for the next level of autoflight capability through the dissimilar redundant setup.

Added safety for pilots under IMC

Navigation under VFR can be quite tricky, if weather conditions change. Radar Based Avionics bridge the gap between loss-of-control and safe flights. RBA equips aircraft to avoid collisions in uncontrolled airspace.

Onboard safety is the new opportunity to fly anywhere anytime. Our system continuously generate cues to the pilot, or autopilot under any weather condition. Radar Based Avionics will increase pilot safety by a factor of 5 and will not interfere with current civil aircraft operations. It doesn’t rely on additional infrastructure because it is a stand-alone system.

Furthermore, Radar Based Avionics provide electronic dissimilar redundant verification of critical flight avionics. In total, our system brings these advantages:

  • Operational Benefit through the reduction of weather dependency for small aircraft in uncontrolled airspace globally, and eventually,
  • The foundation for the next level of autoflight capability through the dissimilar redundant setup.

Products

Current transponder-based technology is limited to ‘Tagged’ objects . It neglects trees, belltowers, powerlines, flocks of bird etc. that are generally ‘Untagged’ and therefore pose a realistic threat to beyond-line-of-sight or UIMC operations. Our products work independently of other systems, regardless of visual conditions:

  • 4-Channel active radar: Introduced in 2017. Powerful radio with high-resolution over 3nm with a 40º conic view.
  • Rotating active radar: X-Band radar introduced in 2019. Very useful for small aircraft and helicopters with a power-consumption of 25W and 8kg payload.
  • Passive S&A radar: Prototype developed in 2020. Radically strong properties with power consumption under 10W and 0,5kg payload. Dependent on Rx-setup, views can be modularly installed to sense over 3nm(!)

Contact

Radar Based Avionics has connections with many prestigious partners in the aerospace sector. Among them are technical universities, aircraft manufacturers and avionics producers.

Contact details:

Office:

  • Radar Based Avionics BV
  • Barbarasteeg 3
  • 2611BM Delft
  • The Netherlands

The development has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 674744