| OTHER PRODUCTS & SYSTEMS |
Specialized products for radar systems and other applications include:
To view a video of the LRAD-B system in operation CLICK HERE. To download a copy of the LRAD bird and wildlife control brochure, CLICK HERE (337 KB, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
The unit additionally provides continuous time-synch of the radar system to ensure that all system components operate within the same spatial environment. MERLIN GPS/Compass can be added to most radar systems that require reliable system coordinate and time information. Features of MERLIN GPS/Compass include:
MERLIN Dataserver & RHM features include:
For aviation safety, the Recorder system can be used to conduct detailed analysis for mishap investigation. In 2005, the system was used for post analysis of a bird-aircraft strike incident at a major U.S. airport and was able to clearly identify the dynamics of the strike, including a detailed view of the point of impact.
The MERLIN Remote software provides complete remote control of radar systems allowing full system control via LANs, WANs or the Internet. The software includes dwell engine radar control and provides full control functionality from cold system start-up to shut-down (power systems, computers, software, etc.) and full range, remote monitoring of system operations, system components and the operating environment. The system includes a full suite of diagnostics to assess system performance providing improved technical support capabilities and reliability. Features include: :
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LRAD-B Advanced Bird & Wildlife Control System 
The dispersal of hazardous bird and wildlife species has long been an important component of any comprehensive wildlife control program. Common dispersal techniques include pyrotechnics, propane gas cannons, lasers and acoustic systems. Each method has some advantages in terms of effectiveness and costs but all suffer from a lack of range and the potential for habituation. Additionally, these methods often elicit noise complaints from neighbors. 
DeTect offers the Long Range Range Acoustic Device (LRAD-B) that is capable of projecting a highly focused, controlled beam of noise at extended ranges (up to 5000 ft). The units are military-grade systems and can use either recorded distress calls (bioacoustics) or various sounds (such as sirens, bells, etc) at variable levels up to 140 dB to disperse wildlife in a controlled manner at close-in or extended ranges (up to 1500 meters). System options include vehicle and gimbaled mounts, and the technology can be integrated with a MERLIN Avian Radar System to provide automated detect and deter functionality (available in 2008) for airfields, landfills and wind farm sites. The LRAD technology is dual purpose also suporting site security, crowd control and facility force protection applicaitons. 
MERLIN GPS/Compass was originally developed as an optional component for the MERLIN radar system to provide automatic north alignment, positioning (with Global Positioning System or GPS) and spatial data (time) input to mobile MERLIN units. The MERLIN GPS/Compass allows for more rapid set-up of MERLIN systems in the field and negates requirements for the operator to manually "dial in" site coordinates and north align the radar system. 
MERLIN Dataserver is a powerful radar system server that integrates data and display of real-time radar system information into a single system for data recording and display. The system supports single or multiple radar sensor networks and combines the output into a unified display in real time. Dataserver features also include real-time display of radar data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) with a wide variety of user customization options. MERLIN Dataserver is ideal for multi-sensor networks such as MERLIN Sentinel surveillance networks (marine, airspace and ground) and MERLIN Avian Radar networks for wide area monitoring of bird and bat activity. The Radar Hardware Monitor (RHM) component provides complete, continuous monitoring and analysis of all radar system functions with advance alert functionality for the overall system. 
The Recorder unit provides for user selectable time loop recording of the raw radar data, generating a detailed record of the original unprocessed (raw) radar data that can be replayed as raw radar signal or processed data for detailed analysis. This feature is widely used for radar environmental surveys and migratory research due to the high quality data and ability to playback in real-time or in slow and fast modes. 
CURRENT PRODUCT R&D ...
This new sensor will be capable of being operated independently or in concert with an Avian Radar System to provide specific data on the type of target that has been detected, (i.e. bird, bat or insect). Additionally, the technology will allow inclusion of insect data in the risk model.
In addition to providing improved risk assessment data, the Fixed Beam Vertical Profiling Radar can also have operational application. For example, it is known that the majority of bat kills occur in a narrow time period in the fall (approximately two weeks). It is also known that a wind turbine with feathered blades kills few, if any, bats. If the technology can establish a correlation between bat distribution and insect activity, then the turbines may need only to be feathered during periods when insects are in the rotor swept height and not for the entire risk period. In this case the Fixed-Beam Vertical Profiler Radar could be used as a monitoring and mitigation tool for operating the wind farm. To download the complete paper on the Pipistrel Fixed-beam Profiler Radar, CLICK HERE (652 MB PDF format, requires Adobe Reader) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Pipistrel Fixed-Beam Vertical Profiler Radar - DeTect is developing the Pipistrel Fixed-Beam Vertical Profiler Radar based on relatively low cost and highly reliable components with an operational system projected for commercial availability in 2008. Flying targets passing through the beam will have the wingbeat frequency measured - much like the scanning of a product bar code when passed over the register laser at a supermarket. The beam width will be sufficiently wide to allow even large, slow flapping targets to reside in the beam for several seconds allowing for measurement. 
Current radar survey techniques eliminate insect targets in radar data to prevent overstating bird counts, however, by rejecting insect data rather than classifying it, important data are lost. As an example, for a wind turbine site if insects occur at the highest densities below the rotor-swept height, it is likely that foraging bats would adopt a strategy that would place them below the rotor-swept area. The vertical distribution of insects is likely to have a significant effect on the height distribution of bats and subsequently the probability of a collision with a wind turbine.
Many studies to date have also suggested that most large bat kills occur during the fall migratory season. It is important to understand, however, that during migration bats must still actively seek food. 
A radar that can effectively discriminate birds, bats and insects can provide important information on bat migration relative to insect rich layers in the atmosphere. It is possible that bat mortality with respect to wind turbines is highest where these insect layers intersect with the rotor swept zone of the turbine and this technology could be definitive in defining this relationship. All Rights Reserved