Design, Integration, and Deployment of UAS borne HF/VHF Depth Sounding Radar and Antenna System

Abstract

The dynamic thinning of fast-flowing glaciers is so poorly understood that its potential impact on sea level rise remains unpredictable. Therefore, there is a dire need to predict the behavior of these ice bodies by understanding their bed topography and basal conditions, particularly near their grounding lines (the limit between grounded ice and floating ice). The ability to detect previous VHF radar returns in some key glacier regions is limited by strong clutter caused by severe ice surface roughness, volume scatter, and increased attenuation induced by water inclusions and debris. The work completed in the context of this thesis encompasses the design, integration, and field testing of a new compact light-weight radar and antenna system suitable for low-frequency operation onboard Uninhabited Aerial Systems (UASs). Specifically, this thesis presents the development of two tapered dipole antennas compatible with a 4-meter wingspan UAS. The bow-tie shaped antenna resonates at 35 MHz, and the meandering and resistively loaded element radiates at 14 MHz. Also discussed are the methods and tools used to achieve the necessary bandwidth while mitigating the electromagnetic coupling between the antennas and on-board avionics in a fully populated UAS. The influence of EM coupling on the 14 MHz antenna was nominal due to relatively longer wavelength. However, its input impedance had to be modified by resistive loading in order to avoid high power reflections back to the transmitter. The antenna bandwidths were further enhanced by employing impedance matching networks that resulted in 17.3% and 7.1% bandwidths at 35 MHz and 14 MHz, respectively. Finally, a compact 4 lbs. system was validated during the 2013-2014 Antarctic deployment, which led to echo sounding of more challenging temperate ice in the Arctic Circle. The thesis provides results obtained from data collected during a field test campaign over the Russell glacier in Greenland compared with previous data obtained with a VHF depth sounder system operated onboard a manned aircraft.