(IVAR) - Final Report - Strategic Environmental Research and ...

data are available in standard formats from digitizing systems or the RDPS itself. B-scan video
data are the rawest form, which retains the received range, azimuth, and intensity information
from the radar transceiver; while scan-converted video data results from data transformation to
an X/Y coordinate system with intensity. Recording either B-scan video or scan-converted
video data is a common capability in avian radar systems to facilitate reprocessing or reanalysis
of archived data. ARTI systems use advanced compression algorithms to archive raw B-scan
video data, which allows comprehensive reprocessing of the archived data with the RDPS.
The (bird) target data continuously stored by the RDPS differs based on proprietary processing of
each radar system. Target data can be stored in time-organized files (for easy replay/analysis
capabilities), in a database format for arbitrary queries, or both. Vendor software can be used to
access target data stored in files, and database management tools can be used to access target data
stored in a database. Two general types of target data are stored: plot data (i.e., detections) and
track data (which are formed from plots). Track data are provided by most vendors and can be
readily reanalyzed. ARTI also continuously stores plot data that can be reprocessed by the
RDPS. For example, it can redo tracking after the fact to extract other targets of interest (e.g.,
aircraft) or to re-optimize the tracking. In addition, ARTI supports reanalysis of RDPS output
using a Track Viewer Workstation that can set different criteria for track display and allow
definition of regions for detailed track analysis. General data management capabilities for avian
radars have been defined in the recently issued FAA Airport Avian Radar Systems Advisory
Circular No. 150/5220-25, which provides requirements and standards for data management in
all avian radar systems purchased with federal funds.
Data Streaming – As defined in this report, data streaming is the process of sending digital
target data from where the data are generated (i.e., the avian radar) to where the data will be used
(e.g., wildlife management office) or where it will be stored (a centralized historical database) in
real-time. In comparison to video data, target data are low bandwidth and hence sending this
information over 3G wireless networks, or using DSL or cable modems to send target data over
the Internet is feasible. Data streaming in avian radar systems is primarily limited by vendor
data management and signaling schemes data rate (or bandwidth requirements), and connection
speed. ARTI radar systems have been shown herein to provide the full spectrum of data
streaming with data integrity and real-time confirmation over standard commercial networks
including the Internet.
Data Integration and Data Fusion – Data integration and data fusion both involve combining
track data from two or more radars into a single display in real time. For data integration, the
radars may or may not have overlapping coverages and they may be closely or widely separated.
Data integration can increase situational awareness by presenting the operator with a larger
coverage area, and potentially more targets within that area, in a single display. As more radars
are used to increase coverage, a single integrated display becomes a highly-desirable feature to
enhance awareness for operators.
Data fusion requires radars to be spaced close enough that their beams overlap for some portion of
their coverages and targets within the areas of overlap are tracked simultaneously by the separate
radars. Fusion can occur locally or the data from the separate radars may be streamed to a remote
data fusion processor. Data fusion requires more precise spatial and temporal
alignment of the radars than data integration, as well as algorithms capable of determining in
real-time when tracks from the separate radars are the same target moving into and out of the
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