EchoShield radar tracking sensor

The EchoShield radar tracking sensor from Echodyne is a medium-range, software-defined, pulse-Doppler electronically scanned array radar built on the maker's metamaterials ESA technology, used for collision avoidance, airspace awareness and counter-UAS. It detects and tracks airborne objects and surface targets and delivers position and velocity tracks to the host system.

The radar operates in the Ku-band, from 15.4 to 16.6 GHz, and covers a field of view of 130 degrees in azimuth by 90 degrees in elevation without moving parts. Track accuracy is better than 0.5 degrees in azimuth and better than 0.5 degrees in elevation, and the track update rate is 10 Hz. The maker states that the radar holds more than 1,000 objects of interest as tracks. For a systems engineer, the update rate matters because cueing a camera gimbal, an effector or a sensor-fusion engine needs frequent, consistent updates; the angular accuracy determines how tightly a narrow-field optical sensor can be pointed at a track. The radar also classifies objects, with classes that include human, vehicle, fixed-wing and multi-rotor.

Typical tracking ranges quoted for unmanned aircraft are 3 km to 5.3 km for Group 1 (radar cross sections of -20 to -10 dBsm), 5.3 km to 7.2 km for Group 2 (-10 to -3 dBsm) and 7.2 km to 12.5 km for Group 3 (-3 to 5 dBsm). For perimeter surveillance the maker gives more than 9.4 km for human movement and more than 12.5 km for vehicles. These are tracking ranges with a stable track, not first-detection ranges.

On the mechanical and electrical side, the unit measures 42.9 cm by 32.9 cm by 18.7 cm and weighs 19.2 kg. It is supplied from 20 to 33 VDC, draws less than 100 W in hot standby and less than 250 W when operating, and works from -40 to +65 degrees C. Control is over Gigabit Ethernet, power connects through a MIL-STD-38999 style bayonet connector, and data output is over Ethernet at 1 Gbps for detections, measurements, tracks and radar status, and at 10 Gbps for range-Doppler spectrograms. Mounting uses a 4x M6 bolt pattern at 200 mm. A kinematics port supports inertial navigation integration for on-the-move installations, and several radars can be networked through the maker's EchoWare software.

The radar is rated IP67 and is specified to MIL-STD-810H for environmental conditions. Regulatory entries include an FCC ID, CE marking, RED compliance and RoHS 3 compliance, and the maker states that the radar is exportable under ECCN 6A008.e. Standard colours are white, tan, green and gray.

Typical applications are counter-UAS, border security, drone-as-first-responder operations, airport surveillance and critical infrastructure protection, in fixed, portable or vehicle-mounted installations. Kits are offered for rapid deployment and tower mounting.