Andrew Doyle/MUNICH

Germany's 3D Radar Vision is studying alternative applications for its synthetic imaging technology, while continuing its search for venture capital funding for a system to provide an all-weather operating capability for helicopters.

Formerly known as HeliRadar Technologies, the company was spun off from Eurocopter owner European Aeronautic Defence and Space last year to commercially exploit the latter's proprietary rotating synthetic aperture radar (ROSAR) technology.

Though the long-term goal remains the development of a synthetic vision system for helicopter pilots, chief executive Hans-Thilo Langer says that, as an "interim step", the company is looking at offering a less-sophisticated version to airports to enable them to monitor surface movements in poor visibility.

According to Langer, venture capitalists have shown strong interest in the helicopter application but are reluctant to invest in its development because it will take at least four years and around $20 million to bring the product to the market. A system for airports, however, could be sold much sooner because the software algorithms required for a ground-based ROSAR would be simpler, despite using virtually identical hardware.

"We halve the time-to-market by doing this so we are looking for partners for the airports application," says Langer. "With this kind of synthetic vision we can help to prevent collisions between aircraft on the ground."

The system works by processing output signals from the ROSAR to build up a synthetic image of the outside world. Langer believes that control tower-based air traffic controllers could be provided with displays enabling them to "see" aircraft and ground vehicles in poor visibility conditions. Also, "intelligent" software algorithms could be used to warn controllers of impending collisions.

A decision on developing the airport system as the company's initial product is expected by mid-year. Langer admits that though this would provide a vital stepping stone to development of the more sophisticated helicopter ROSAR and "give us confidence in our hardware", it would delay availability of the airborne version.

Another factor is that while the ROSAR promises significant operational cost benefits for helicopter operators by allowing all-weather operations, the airport system would have to be procured on safety grounds alone.

Source: Flight International