DAS (DISTRIBUTED APERTURE SYSTEM) IN UAV

The development of a Distributed Aperture System (DAS) integrated into an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) represents a significant step toward improving situational awareness and operational safety in aerial systems. In this study, a low-cost and lightweight DAS architecture was successfully conceptualised using distributed ultrasonic and infrared sensors controlled through a central microcontroller. The use of the Arduino Uno R3 as the primary processing unit enabled efficient handling of multi-directional sensor inputs while maintaining simplicity and affordability. The distributed placement of sensors around the UAV structure provided continuous environmental monitoring, effectively reducing blind spots commonly found in traditional single-direction sensing systems. The integration of the 16×2 LCD Display Module (HD44780 Compatible) allowed real-time display of obstacle distances, enhancing system usability and enabling immediate feedback during testing and operation. The system demonstrated the feasibility of implementing DAS functionality using cost-effective components without relying on complex or high-cost technologies. Furthermore, the proposed system highlights the potential for adapting distributed sensing concepts, similar to those used in advanced aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II, into simplified UAV platforms suitable for academic and research applications. The design emphasised lightweight structural materials, efficient sensor placement, and reliable data processing methods to achieve improved obstacle detection capability. Overall, the proposed Distributed Aperture System provides an effective solution for enhancing UAV environmental awareness using economical components. Future work may focus on integrating advanced image processing techniques, autonomous navigation algorithms, and improved sensor fusion methods to further enhance the performance and reliability of DAS-enabled UAV systems. This research contributes to the growing field of intelligent UAV technology by demonstrating a practical approach to implementing distributed sensing architectures in low-cost aerial platforms.

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