Acoustic Detection of Unmanned Aerial Systems via Piezoelectric Sensor Array Fabric

Abstract

I present a theoretical framework for passive acoustic detection of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) using a woven piezoelectric sensor array fabric capable of integrating dense arrays of acoustic sensors at densities exceeding 1000/cm2 with embedded beamforming signal processing. I derive a master detection range equation incorporating source acoustic power, spherical spreading, atmospheric absorption (ISO 9613-1 [6]), ambient noise floor, array processing gain, and matched filter gain. For a 1 m2 fabric panel with ∼ 106 sensor elements operating as a coherent phased array at 200 Hz, theoretical array gain reaches 60 dB. Under calm conditions ( < 2 m/s wind, rural ambient 30 dBA), detection ranges of 800–2400 m are predicted for consumer quadcopters and 3–12 km for fixed-wing military UAS. Multiple draped panels separated by meters achieve aperture synthesis with sub-degree angular resolution. The sensor array fabric is a viable passive, covert counter-UAS detection layer deployable as camouflage netting, tent fabric, or vehicle covers.