The term Radar is an acronym for Radio Detection And Ranging. Although the basic principle was already patented in 1904, it really gained momentum

Transcription

1 Systems & Services

2 The term Radar is an acronym for Radio Detection And Ranging. Although the basic principle was already patented in 1904, it really gained momentum towards World War II. Using radar to monitor birds started much later in the eighties, when the Dutch Research Institute TNO applied radar to help the Air Force prevent collisions between birds and fighter jets. The project was named ROBIN which stands for Radar Observation of Bird INtensity. In 2010, all activities around Robin were spun out of TNO to pursue market leadership as an independent company. 2

3 Company Profile ROBIN is a young company with a 30 year pedigree. With more than three decades of cutting-edge radar research and development expertise built in, our systems offer the best possible combination of range, resolution and clutter filtering. Whether you are responsible for flight safety, managing the environmental impact of wind farms or conducting ecological research, we share your goal: a balance of commerce and ecology that helps ensure safer flights for birds, and for people. Balancing commercial and environmental interests is a complex challenge and making the right choices means starting with the right information. ROBIN radar systems provide the accurate, real-time monitoring and logging of bird movements you need in order to make the right decisions. We also understand that gathering this information is only part of the challenge. That s why we work closely with you and our partners to ensure our systems are successfully integrated into your solution. The transparency of our systems and our approach, insures that they deliver the information you need, presented in the way you need it, as part of effective monitoring and control strategies. Robin embodies the best of both worlds; committed entrepreneurship combined with a 30 year pedigree of applied science. Apart from its access to 60 people in the Radar Division of TNO, the company itself grew from 4 to 13 people in its first year. Robin has won almost every tender in Europe and the ambitions are very clear: market leadership. 3

4 Heritage ROBIN bird detection systems were originally developed by TNO for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to prevent bird strikes in flight operations across The Netherlands. ROBIN Radar Systems was founded to spin out the technology from TNO by three former TNO employees, Jeroen Wortelboer, Addy Borst and Wouter Keijer, together with the founder of Waleli, Siete Hamminga, who jointly saw the broader commercial potential for the technology. Vision As Siete Hamminga puts it, ROBIN is a TNO serves as one of ROBIN s strategic suppliers, extending its R&D capacity. great example of the commercialization of science. It represents the best of both Also, ROBIN is located in the offices of worlds: a solid scientific base combined with TNO Defence & Security, in The Hague. committed entrepreneurship - resulting in TNO has no share in the company: ROBIN an explosive mixture. Although there are is entirely privately owned. no formal links between the organizations, We believe there is room for new players with better systems and service. We don t focus on the weaknesses of the competition, but excel through our own strengths and those of our users. Our key strength is our team, with its 30-year pedigree in bird radars from the Dutch research Institute for Applied Science (TNO). We have used this strength to make unique systems in co-operation with our users - making the leap to second-generation, purpose-built avian radars. Many of our users are researchers. They want to know HOW the radar gets its data, rather than use systems that are a black box to them. We are happy to provide transparency in how our systems work. Transparency also means being real about the limitations of radar. 4

5 Nina No existing radar sees everything. While it offers great possibilities, it is no substitute for human observation. Performance is affected by clutter from insects, the sea and weather conditions, for example. Also, the ability to recognize individual species is still developing. Having the best system is not good enough: users need to understand HOW good it is under certain conditions. That is why ROBIN encourages the validation of bird radars in general and especially of its own systems. We do this in cooperation with users and scientists using multiple techniques - ranging from human observations to tagged birds and remotecontrolled helicopters. Being a technology supplier, we need to be aware that we provide only one piece of the puzzle. Data is not the same as information and information requires professional interpretation before it can result in conclusions or policies. That is why we partner with multiple ecological research organizations. Having access to our systems is one thing: using them effectively is another. A significant part of our efforts is dedicated to training and product support. Both provide great input for further improvement of our systems, and form the basis of a long-term beneficial relationship. We re aiming for market leadership by making this vision real. v 5

6 Organisation Management team Siete Hamminga, Managing Director Siete Hamminga MSc studied Industrial Engineering & Management at the University of Twente. After a period at Unilever in Switzerland, he finished his studies in Silicon Valley. He then co-authored Beyond the Hype, a book that captured the views of top Dutch e-business executives after the hype of the late 1990s. Partly based on these experiences, he founded Waleli in February a company dedicated to converting promising technologies into commercial successes. Siete won several entrepreneurial and innovation awards, including the LiveWIRE Young Business Award in Waleli became an Innovation Accelerator for established companies like Siemens, Philips and TNO. This resulted in several high-tech start-ups, including ROBIN Radar Systems which he currently leads. Addy Borst, Commercial Director Addy Borst MSc was trained at the Dutch Military Academy to become a career officer in 1981 but, after a change of direction, he graduated in 1991 from the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Delft. His business career started as a Flight Test Engineer at Fokker Aircraft, and later on he joined KLM Airlines, where he won the company s Total Quality Award. In 2000 he started his own company, which focused on engineering aircraft data systems and flight data analysis. Through this work, he came into contact with TNO, which he joined to become program manager, leading 12 project managers in the field of Command & Control for the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces. In 2004 TNO gave him the Entrepreneur Award. Until the spin-out of ROBIN Radar, Addy worked on the development and operation of bird radars and Fly Safe projects of the European Space Agency (ESA). 6

7 Partners Being a technology supplier, we are aware that we provide only one piece of the puzzle. Data is not the same as information, and information requires professional interpretation before it can result in conclusions or policies. That is why we partner with several research organizations and technology suppliers. General Systems Introduction 1. The sensors The principle of Radar is based upon repeatedly sending out an electromagnetic signal, to then analyse its echo. There are different techniques to apply this principle. The X- and S-band radars are both pulse radars. A brief electro magnetic signal, or pulse is send into the air. When it hits an object, like a plane or a bird, it reflects the signal in al directions including back towards the radar. This so called echo is picked up by the radar for analysis. The size of the echo indicates the size of the target, given its distance. Because the signal moved at a constant speed, the distance of the object derives from the time between sending the signal and receiving its echo. The location of the target is known after combining its distance with the direction in which the radar was pointing. In reality, the signals move at kilometres per second and the time between two pulses is less than 0,05 microseconds. 7

8 Horizontal S-Band Vertical X-Band FMCW Horizontal S-band A larger variant is the S-band radar. It is 3 meter 60 long and normally rotates 24 times every minute. Robin however uses a modified engine, increasing its speed to 45 rotations per minute. This decreases the interval between identifications, creating a more complete and reliable image. The S- band radar can identify large birds up to a ten kilometre distance and 2 kilometres in height. Vertical X-Band The X-band radar is 8 feet long and rotates 45 times every minute. The normal viewing angle is 10 degrees above ground level. It is capable of identifying small birds up to 2.5 kilometres and large birds or flocks at a range of approximately 5.0 kilometres. The radar can be placed on its side, using it to vertically scan the sky. Previous specifications remain the same although it now rotates at 24 RPM and the viewing angle doubled to 20 degrees. FMCW The third type of sensor marks the Second Generation in the industry of avian radar. Where previous sensors are originally built for marine purposes, this FMCW radar is purpose-built by Robin, specifically for bird monitoring. This sensor has three operating modes: (1) in the Staring Mode. The user can select a specific area of interest to which the radar automatically points and fixates. (2) A second mode is the Scanning Mode. The radar rotates horizontally and vertically at the same time. It scans a 360 degree area, gathering location information of all birds in the range of 3.5km. (3) The third mode is called the tracking mode. When the user is interested in a specific target, the FMCW can pinpoint and track it, without losing it out of sight. While doing so, it measures the birds wing beat frequency as one important variable to determine what type of bird it is. 8

9 Fig.4: Blue area visualising the range of The 3D fixed configuration; a horizontal S-band radar combined with a vertical X- band radar. Fig.5: Blue area visualising the range of The 3D flex configuration; a horizontal S-band radar combined with an FMCW radar. FMCW stands for Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave. Where a pulse radar uses only one antenna to both send and receive after one another, the FMCW radar has two antenna s. One is used to continuously transmit on various frequencies. The other is used to continuously receive the echoes. The distance to the target is now measured by comparing the received frequencies of echoes with the transmitted frequencies. 2. Configurations Now that the sensors are introduced, let s see what capabilities emerge when combining them into different configurations. 3D-fixed Combining a vertical X-band with a horizontal S-band radar, provides three dimensional information within the fixed overlapping area. Birds are identified including information about their location, speed, direction and height. The size of reflections, combined with their distance can also be used for classifications; to distinguish between small birds, large birds and flocks. The blue area in the animation shows the effective part of the radar beam and how it scans the area. 3D-flex The S-band radar can also be combined with the FMCW radar, using all of its flexible capabilities. Again birds are identified including their location, speed, direction and height. In this configuration however, the overlapping area of both radars cover an area of 3,5 kilometres all around. Targets identified by the S-band radar can trigger the tracking mode of the FMCW radar. For example to analyse a specific target heading for a runway or wind farm. Given its ability to measure wing beat frequencies, the 3D flex configuration provides information that goes beyond classification, towards the level of distinguishing species. 9

10 3. Processing data Fig.6: Data Processing Centre, placed in a shock proof housing Although the principle behind Radar is relatively simple, in practice there are quite some hurdles to take. For example the echo is much weaker than the original signal that was sent out; the strength of the signal decreases by the fourth power of the distance. Radar is typically used to detect large objects like ships or planes. Detecting birds requires world-class expertise in dealing with unwanted reflections from trees, ground and rain. Robin s systems are ahead of the game when it comes to filtering out this so called clutter. Data Processing Centre This takes place in the core of the system; the Data Processing Centre is well protected in a shock and waterproof housing with gasketed, removable doors. Inside eight elastomeric shock absorbers hold a 30 rack in place, containing the different layers of hardware; 10

11 The Rack Console holds a folding screen, keyboard and switch to approach the different hardware layers in the rack. It serves as a technical interface to monitor and control the system s core functions. Robin s product support team can do this remotely. The Bird Monitoring System does image processing. By going through numerous filtering steps, digital images are processed into bird data. This is done in less than 5 seconds so bird movements can be displayed in real time. The bird data is also saved in a MySQL database for analysis afterwards. Logging an entire days monitoring using two radars takes around 500 megabyte of space. The system is typically equipped with 500 gigabyte storage capacity and therefore capable of monitoring non-stop for about 3 years. One can also choose to use an external data base server. The Registration System does signal processing. It contains unique, in-house developed hardware that transforms analogue radar signals into digital images and synchronizes them with the movement of the antenna. The Registration System makes data process-ready for the Bird Monitoring System to do its magic. The UPS supplies back-up power for when the electricity fails, either to bridge the gap or to facilitate a controlled shut-down. The fifth unit in the rack is the power and control unit of the Horizontal Radar. When a horizontal radar is combined with a vertical radar, they share the same Bird Monitoring System, Rack console and UPS. The vertical radar does however require its own registration system and control unit. Fig.7: Data Processing Centre, front view 11

12 4. Interfaces Screens As stated earlier, the Rack Console only serves as a local interface to monitor the technical status of the systems. Monitoring birds however, is done remotely. For example on a laptop in the field; To perform flawlessly under working environments where weather conditions and physical abuse are unavoidable, we use ruggedized laptops. They have a sunlight readable touch screen, shock-mounted hard drive, and sealed I/O caps to prevent damage from solid particles and moisture. The laptop has a wireless connection to the radar, bridging hundreds of meters. It is also equipped with a sensitive GPS for orientation. In most cases however, users are located in an office or Air Traffic Control Tower using a regular desktop computer, connected to the internet. Robin Visualiser The Robin Visualiser displays the results from the different filter techniques that took place in the Bird Monitoring System. (1) The Land Filter for example, continuously removes static clutter from land and buildings. (2) The Rotor Filter removes objects that move in a repetitive manner at a fixed location, like trees in the wind or rotors from turbines. (3) The Rain Filter detects and eliminates unwanted reflections from rain. (4) The Object Filter clusters the remaining reflections and defines which ones are to be processed as tracks. This tracking is done using a clever Tracking Algorithm. It connects different plots belonging to the same target, revealing a bird s flight path as a red line. To prevent showing to much information, users can choose how far back these should be displayed. 12

13 The diameter of the circle around the target indicates its size. The yellow line starts at the next predicted location and indicates its course. Its length represents the speed of the bird. For orientation, users can select a map or Google Earth as background. They can also zoom in on a specific area and add notes to locations or targets on the screen, for example human validation of the type of bird. These notes are time-stamped and saved in the database together with bird observations in the form of MPEG movies. Fig.8: Screenshot from the Robin Visualiser Report generator Many clients use our systems not for real-time monitoring but to study information gathered over a longer period of time, to identify patterns in behaviour or assess the potential impact of changes in the environment for example. To facilitate this off line analysis, Robin developed a Report Generator in which users can select different variables and generate charts to support their reports. Features like these all emerge from working closely together with ecologists, bird control departments and Air Traffic Controllers. This form of co-development is an ongoing process. When it comes to user-friendly interfaces, remote control, species recognition, integrating the latest sensors or automated deterrence, Robin Radar Systems is continuously improving its systems. Fig.9: Screenshots from the Robin Report Generator There is more to come. We kindly invite you to learn all about it. 13

14 Services & Product Support 1. Installation & testing Site survey A site survey from Robin seeks information regarding optimum locations such that it will meet the requirements needed for successful installation, integration, and operation of your bird radar equipment. Next, information is gathered about airfields and their direct surroundings to gain understanding of local bird presence and possible bird attractants. [FERA] Fera provides a full suite of bird-wildlife hazard management assessments ranging from full reviews of all aspects of airport bird hazard management from initial airport design, through the provision of policy advice, to the development of bird management strategies, risk assessments, airport wildlife inspection services and the safeguarding of aerodromes against hazardous planning developments. On completion of the inspection we compile a bespoke report containing clear insight into the identified bird management strengths and weaknesses and practical recommendations for improvement. Our assessments 14 are based on international and best practice standards and, where available, internal operating procedures and manuals. Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) The purpose of the FAT is to inspect the system at our factory according to predefined FAT protocols. During the FAT, the hardware and software of the bird radar system is thoroughly inspected according to a checklist of performance parameters. The FAT is typically performed together with the customer, giving them first-hand knowledge of the system s functionality. On-site installation and configuration After shipping the system to the customer Robin Radar will prepare the system for first time use at a customer selected site. Robin Radar will provide support with mechanical set-up and installation of the system and will also take care of an optimal configuration of the system for that specific site.

15 Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) The purpose of the SAT is to inspect the system on location to ensure a smooth startup; it includes a full demonstration of all major system components and functionalities and thereby verifies that the equipment fulfills its performance requirements. The SAT is carried out together with the customer. 2. Documentation & training Theoretical training Aim of the theoretical training is to provide future users and administrators of the system with an in-depth overview of the whole system. Examples of topics covered during this training are main system configuration, user interfaces, and data processing storage and data retrieval. On customer request, advanced topics can be addressed during this training. On-the-job training The on the job training is meant to instruct operators and administrators how to operate the bird radar system. It covers all basic operations and functions of the system and provides user with insight needed to ensure reliable operation and data handling. Air traffic control training (optional) This short course aims at an in-depth knowledge transfer about how to use the bird radar system from an air traffic control perspective. It covers general bird strike prevention topics and in particular addresses the use of the Robin Visualizer as main instrument to provide real-time insight in possible dangerous bird activity. Bird control training (optional) Aim of this course is to familiarize bird controllers with the use of an avian radar system into their daily operations. It covers the radar based tools and approaches that will strengthen their understanding of local bird activity. Example topics that will be addressed include the use of the mobile version of our Robin Visualizer including our field observation module and report generator. Documentation A part of the delivery of the system is a full set of documentation, this includes: Training materials User manuals of all user specific applications Quick reference cards Database interface control description Transport, installation and configuration manual Operator and Service manuals All original manuals of all COTS subsystems. 3. Product support Helpdesk A helpdesk will be provided to support users with any question about the system. This will be arranged by several ways: 1. By telephone (within working hours) 2. By (answered within 48 hours (except during weekends)) 3. By a problem report ticket system (handled during working hours) 15

16 The level of helpdesk support depends of course on the question. Questions about the usage of the system are answered by either telephone or . User software bugs are handled by an internal ticket system. User community access Users of the Robin system can become a member of the robin user community that provides members with access to best practices, tips and tricks, news, etc. Besides an onlineforum, users can participate in workshops and use this community to exert influence on the Robin innovation and R&D agenda. 4. Maintenance Remote monitoring A part of regularly system maintenance is to prevent or detect a technical failure and to report this as soon as possible to the user and to service department. Therefore each installed system includes the capability to monitor the working of both the system and system parts. This is done remotely by Robin Radar Systems and can be done locally by the customer himself. Spare part management A list of all spare part components will be actively maintained to be able to manage the system down-time (from failure report until a functional working system). From this list it is defined which parts will be stored either; on-customer-site on-factory-site (Robin Radar Systems) on-supplier site (Manufacturer) Repair and replacement Depending on the failure report several levels of repair and replacement are possible. 1. The customer can repair it by himself with instructions received from the help-desk. 2. Robin Radar Systems can solve the problem remotely through an save-internet connection 3. The customer sends a faulty sub-system to Robin Radar Systems where it will be repaired and returned. 4. The customer sends a faulty sub-system to Robin Radar Systems, and Robin radar Systems sends a replacement for that subsystem. 5. Most of the equipment (sub-systems) are guaranteed and serviced by the original manufacturer of that sub-system. Software Updates Whenever new software is available which solves technical or UI issues, it is possible to remotely install updates by Robin Radar Systems. Of course a date/time shall be planned so it will not interfere with the daily business of the customer. 16

17 Benefits & Unique Selling Points Benefits of radar Bird strike prevention at civil airports is a complex challenge. Like with any other complex issue however, really understanding it is an essential step towards solving it. Radar provides detailed insights in the presence and behaviour of birds on and around the airport. If you can t measure it, you can t manage it Richard Dolbeer about the issue of bird strikes, 2011 North American Bird Strike Conference. The complementarity of radar to human observations is obvious. Instead of looking in one direction with a range of 1 kilometre at day time, radar detects birds up to 10 kilometres, all around, day and night, continuously. Instead making estimations based on personal experience, radar automatically detects and logs birds including their size, speed, direction, location and height. This results in both strategic and tactical benefits; Strategic Benefits These are benefits that derive from the fact that data is logged over a longer period of time to enable analysis: Identify patterns, translate these into risk profiles to be integrated as in planning Provide analytical input to habitat management Evaluate the effectiveness of different deterrence techniques and adjustments in vegetation. Tactical Benefits Other benefits are related to real-time use of the bird detection systems: Enhance the situational awareness of pilots by briefing them about the risk level concerning bird strikes. Allow Air Traffic Control to put take offs on hold for seconds when the collision risk is significant. Extent the eyes of Bird Control Units in the field, giving them more time to proactively respond. Send them to the right spot for deterrence. 17

18 The benefits show that there is a lot to win from radar, even before using it real-time at ATC level. Robin beliefs in roadmapthinking : integration in phases, gradually making more effective use of its broad capabilities. Challenges & limitations Radar was originally built to see large objects like ships and planes. Not to identify birds at kilometres distance. The fact that we can do so today, results from decades of research. As an industry leader, we feel responsible to set realistic expectations. That is why one of Robin s corporate values is called Be Real. This means straightforward communication about the capabilities as well as the limitations of radar; Technical limitations On a technology level, dealing with unwanted reflections called clutter is the name of the game. Even after mastering this with over 30 years of experience; radar does not see everything. The use of radar is not a substitute for the human eyes of biologists or bird control units. Specifications of radars in general are complex. Detection capabilities decrease over distance can be different per location, depend on the size of reflections (RCS) and are influenced by weather conditions. Radar as part of a solution Radar generates data. Data is not the same as information. Converting valuable radar data into useful information and policies requires interpretation by wildlife professionals or ornithologists. This is why Robin works together with numerous international firms, specialized in wildlife management at airports. Radar itself does not prevent bird strikes. It is an enabling tool that only makes sense when it is part of a bird strike control program (BASH) and safety management system (SMS). It requires new ways of doing things, new procedures (CONOPS). Unique selling points Marking the second generation in the industry At a systems level, ROBIN raises the bar in the industry. Up until now, vendors based their systems on commercial of the shelf marine radars or defence radars designed to identify incoming mortars. ROBIN s FMCW radar is the world s first radar, specifically designed and built to detect birds. It marks the second-generation avian radars. Unique capabilities: 3D & Wing-beat The FMCW has unique capabilities beyond the accuracy of location, direction, speed and height. The radar offers the flexibility to operate in three different modes. It can continuously monitor one specific direction called the staring mode. It can scan the entire area in three dimensions and it can pinpoint a target, follow it and measure its wing beat frequency. In numerous steps unwanted reflections called clutter are filtered out and the remaining targets are 18

19 distinguished into vehicle, planes and flocks and birds of different sizes. All this is done in seconds providing real-time information. User friendly interfaces The Robin Visualiser displays the results from the different filter techniques. This tracking is done using a clever Tracking Algorithm. It connects different plots belonging to the same target, revealing a bird s flight path as a red line. To prevent showing to much information, users can choose how far back these should be displayed. The diameter of the circle around the target indicates its size. The yellow line starts at the next predicted location and indicates its course. Its length represents the speed of the bird. For orientation, users can select a map or Google Earth as background. They can also zoom in on a specific area and add notes to locations or targets on the screen, for example human validation of the type of bird. These notes are time-stamped and saved in the database together with bird observations in the form of MPEG movies. Many clients use our systems not for realtime monitoring but to study information gathered over a longer period of time, to identify patterns in behaviour or assess the potential impact of changes in the environment for example. To facilitate this off line analysis, Robin developed a Report Generator in which users can select different variables and generate charts to support their reports. In house built transparent systems The design, development and production all takes place in-house. We know our systems inside-out, because we built it from scratch. Our development and product support team has access to the entire data chain without depending on black boxes from third parties. This is especially important to provide transparency. Our users often have a scientific research background. They want to know HOW the system gets to its data. Robin is able to provide this transparency and support users to experiment with different settings when they wish to do so. Remote access & control Users are typically located in the ATC tower, in bird control vehicles, or in offices at remote locations. That means having remote access to the systems is important. Not only for users, but also to enable instant product support. When something is wrong, it is likely that our support team knows before the client does. Extensive Organisational Support Having a system in place is One, integrating it into effective operations is Two. Three is maintaining it. Apart from the systems unique capabilities, this is why Robin sets itself apart from other players. This document gives a brief overview of the effort we put in installation, testing, training, product support and maintenance. The power of Co-development To a great extent, it is our users that determine our Innovation Agenda. Robin is continuously improving its user interface and adding new functionalities that users request and these are shared with all other users. 19

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