Bistatic ultrasound radar system

This electronics and avionics engineering project by a final year student at university of liverpool is about identifying the objects/threats in visible range by utilizing the ultrasound sensors. The ultrasound transmitter and receiver sensors are arranged in a pattern to form a bistatic radar field. In this bistatic field any physical object of any shape can easily be identified. Once the object is detected its easy to calculate its location and moving speed. The combination of bistatic technology and ultrasound waves can even detect the stealth aviation air-fighters.

What is bistatic sensor?

In bistatic technology the transmitter and receiver are installed at a known distance a part from each other. The transmitter transmits the signal. The signal is reflected from the unknown object. This reflected signal is received by the receiver. The receiver than calculates the location and speed of the unknown moving object.

Up till now the most common radars in practice are monostatic. Monostatic radar transmitter and receiver is the same sensor. Monostatic sensors are popular in industry with the name tag of transceiver. For example wireless modems or routers they are transmitter and receiver at the same time so are know as transceivers. Many radio and Bluetooth modules are also transceivers.

The figures below shows whats the difference between radar mono-static and bi-static technology.

Difference between monostatic and bistatic radar systems.

Bistatic theft detection technology

Potential bistatic radar technology utilization

Ultrasound bistatic technology can be utilized in big office areas and ware houses where the ultrasonic monostatic short range sensors are useless. Ultrasonic monostatic sensors are use less because they cover a small area and their detection range is also limited to few meters. A chain of ultrasonic sensors forms a bistatic field which can cover whole ware house facility.

Arduino and arduino ultrasound sensors will be used in the project to construct a bistatic field. For more about the project hardware and software watch the project video.

According to author:
This project will take ultrasound sensors and integrate them into a bistatic sensor, similar to a bistatic radar, where the sensors are physically separated. The project develops hardware and software to measure and then process the ultrasound signals.

Arduino uno bistatic radar prototype

A similar project hardware prototype is presented by an another electronics engineering student. To see his work visit Arduino uno bistatic ultrasound radar prototype.