ARGUS 3D

AiR Guidance and Surveillance 3D

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The project aims to improve the detection of manned and unmanned platforms by exploiting the treatment of more accurate information of cooperative as well as non-cooperative flying objects, in order to identify potentially threats. The scope will be reached by managing the 3D position data in region including extended border lines and large areas, 24 hours a day and in all weather conditions, derived from enhanced existing Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), together whit conventional data and information coming via various passive radar technique in order to extend the airspace coverage and to enhance the target recognition capability of the surveillance systems. Thus, the security could be enhanced in large areas, at sustainable costs, by improving the recognition of non-cooperative target through more accurate information on it’s characteristics and/or more accurate positioning. The final objective of the research consists of study, design and realization of a simple demonstrator of a low cost, interoperable, radar based, system able to identify, all kinds of non-cooperative threat with the contribution of data coming from: - an innovative three-dimensional PSR - conventional sensors (Primary radar, Secondary radar, ADBS, etc…) - a network composed by a multitude of multi-operational passive, bistatic and high resolution radar. The system core will performs mainly an opportune Fusion of the such data and an accurate control of Consistency enhancing the early warning alerts capacities of final user based on a detailed 3D map of the area under surveillance with additional information on the nature of the target and on the alert level selected considering the track, the direction and a trajectory prediction of the target performed by the included Decision Support module.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Air traffic control (ATC) in Europe urgently needs modernising in order to reduce congestion, but most importantly to boost safety. To fill the gaps of current ATC systems, an EU-funded project developed new technology to identify potential threats and improve the security of citizens against terrorist attacks.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The 'Air guidance and surveillance 3D' (http://www.argus3d.eu/ (ARGUS 3D)) project developed a multi-sensor system able to return detailed three-dimensional (3D) maps of the area under surveillance. By analysing information data from multiple sensors, it provides information about the nature of non-cooperative aircraft and the level of threat they present.

The ARGUS 3D system combines the advantages of conventional surveillance systems with those of two con-conventional radar-based systems. It analyses data received from 3D primary surveillance radars to determine the altitude of an aircraft. At the same time, a network of passive radar sensors allows to view targets from different perspectives.

The combination improves the accuracy with which an object's position is determined as well as the extent of the area covered, thus reducing the blind areas while increasing safety in sensitive areas. The ARGUS 3D system is expected to provide a significant upgrade to the air traffic picture in critical situations like terrorist activities.

From tests carried out under real-life conditions in the area around Rome, researchers determined the accuracy with which the position of non-cooperative aircraft can be estimated. There is room for improvement, especially through the use of antennas able to more accurately steer the emitted beams. However, in those cases analysed by ARGUS 3D, the altitude was estimated with accuracy that reaches 300 metres.

By analysing data from ground sensors, instead of solely relying on data transmitted by aircraft, alerts can also be provided in timely manner. Once an incoming threat is detected, the ARGUS 3D system can assist the operator suggesting the most effective countermeasure in the area under surveillance.

The ARGUS 3D system, with further improvements, could be applied beyond civil ATC challenged by the steadily growing number of aircraft. The way to application to battlefield airspace and vessel traffic control has been paved and also to monitor cars in open space. These applications will no doubt be further investigated within future projects.