Paper 13479-50
Paper 13479-50
Enhancing drone surveillance using pattern notches: Experimental direction finding results
15 April 2025 • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Abstract
Drone detection and localization in outdoor environments require precise methods to mitigate disruptive signals. This study experimentally explores the concept of pattern notches in the acoustic field, where directional zeros are strategically placed to suppress unwanted sound signals, thereby enhancing the performance of beamforming techniques and improving drone detection capabilities. The approach is applied to experimental field data collected in free-field conditions, focusing on detecting and localizing drone rotor noise among various types of interference. Experimental results showcase the effectiveness of pattern notches in mitigating disruptive signals and improving the accuracy of drone detection, direction estimation, and localization within outdoor environments.
Presenter
Macarena Varela
Fraunhofer-Institut für Kommunikation, Informationsverarbeitung und Ergonomie FKIE (Germany)
Macarena Varela is a research fellow at Fraunhofer FKIE, specializing in Acoustics and Advanced Signal Processing. She develops cutting-edge solutions for detecting, classifying, and localizing sounds using innovative microphone technologies and AI-driven data processing. Her expertise extends to applying these technologies to moving platforms, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), across diverse fields, including search and rescue operations, to enhance situational awareness and response capabilities in critical scenarios. Her work has garnered international media attention, with features in the Washington Post and BBC, showcasing her significant contributions to the field. In 2022, Macarena was awarded the Femtec Award in the category of "Innovation" for her pioneering efforts in mounting microphone arrays on drones for search and rescue purposes. With a passion for integrating technology into real-world applications, she continues to push the boundaries of acoustic research.