Defence, Security and Safety

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Robin Bird Radar

ROBIN can be used for:
- Reduction of midair bird collisions by tracking birds,
using standard radar video.
- Investigation of bird density in the early phases of planning
windmill parks, electrical power lines, airports, etc.

The solution
In the late 1980's the radar bird detection
system ROBIN (Radar Observation Of Bird
INtensity) was developed for the Royal
Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) as a near real
time monitoring system for bird movement
throughout the Netherlands. The RNLAF has
been using this system for about fifteen
years in support of flight operations,
particularly in support of flight planning and
en-route navigation. Since the introduction
of the system in 1989 it has been very
successful in bringing down the number of
bird collisions in flight operations.

This radar based system extracts (flocks of)

birds all from the radar data of the RNLAF's
Air Defense radars. During the operational
use, the system has seen evolutionary
improvements.
The ROBIN system consists of two parts:
z Registration system (RS), located very close

to the radar.
z Presentation system (PS) to monitor the

birds, which can be located everywhere

The PS's communicate with the RS via
standard telephone lines.

1: The 'raw' radar image, showing ground clutter, rain, aircraft, birds.
Although ROBIN was designed to improve
2: The processed radar image, showing tracks of birds.
3: A vector plot, showing the direction of the bird tracks. flight safety, the value for nature,
environment and ecology has been
enormous. The radar proved to be the most
The problem countries. Worldwide, the number of bird effective information source for getting
Bird strikes are an increasing hazard to strikes increased by 50% in the last decade. answers for questions related to bird
aircraft operations. Damage to aircraft due to As bird strikes generally take place at low migration.
collisions with birds is estimated between altitudes, they often happen during the final
5 and 10 billion US$ yearly. Next to severe approach or during the climb after The sensor(s)
damage to the planes, fatal accidents caused departure. The raw video data of radar systems is used
by bird strikes are reported in several to monitor position and direction of birds.
Remote Observation of Birds Using Uniform Radarsystems

TNO Defence, Security and Safety

Since the system is not specific in the choice This mobile ROBIN system is mounted on a 'TNO Defence, Security and Safety' is the title
of radar, it can be configured to use already truck + trailer. It provides you all the data under which TNO operates as a strategic part-
installed radar systems as sensors. you need related to bird migration. ner for the Dutch Ministry of Defence and
makes innovative contributions to enhancing
Coverage depends on the type of radar
the security of the Netherlands both at home
attached to the system. Conclusion and abroad. We also use our accumulated
ROBIN can thus be supplied as a stand alone knowledge for foreign governments and for
The presentation system(s) unit or can be integrated in existing radar defence-related industries.
The presentation systems are used to system networks. In all cases decision
monitor the bird migration. It provides the support can be of great importance to the
information where the birds are flying, the authorities responsible for avoiding bird
direction and speed of each (flock of) bird(s) strikes. ROBIN decreases costs (less damage,
and the number of birds in the air. Moreover less bird watching teams) and increases
it provides a complete overview of the bird safety. Addy Borst
density in the air. Project manager ROBIN
Future developments P +31 70 374 02 91

There can be any number of presentation In the second half of 2005, the ROBIN system
Oude Waalsdorperweg 63
systems in use simultaneously. The only will be upgraded. Amongst others, it will be P.O. Box 96864
prerequisite is the availability of a standard possible to do real time assessment of bird 2509 JG The Hague
telephone line, to connect with the movements. The Netherlands
registration system(s).
P +31 70 374 00 28
Future updates of ROBIN could include:
F +31 70 374 06 42
z Identification of bird species for
info-DenV@[Link]
A mobile ROBIN ornithological studies. [Link]
In the very near future, a completely self z Sensor fusion (multiple radar systems, one

supporting ROBIN system will be available resulting image).

for rent. This system consists of a short z Communication via internet in stead of via

range radar (15km), a registration system telephone lines.

and a presentation system.

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