Electro-Optical System Analysis for Sense and Avoid

This paper presents a parametric analysis of the sense and avoid capability for an electrooptical system on unmanned aircraft. Our sensor analysis is based on simulated encounters from a new U.S. airspace encounter model that provides a comprehensive distribution of typical visual ight rule (VFR) aircraft behavior and encounter geometries. We assess the exchange between the sensor eld-of-view shape and detection range with the probability of intruder detection prior to near miss. This assessment also includes a trade-o analysis between eld-of-view azimuth angle and probability of detection with xed tracking technology (i.e. pixel array sensor and tracking algorithm). Initial results suggest that current standards are suitable for detecting larger aircraft but may not be ideal for small aircraft such as ultralights.