Intelligent Multi-Operational RADAR (IMOR)-Based Soft Landing of UAVs on Unknown Terrain

Abstract

For the safe and efficient real-time operation of micro and small-class Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), functionalities such as precise altitude measurement, flat terrain detection for emergency landings, and soft landing capabilities are essential. This paper introduces a lightweight RADAR powered sensing platform, Intelligent Multi-Operational RADAR (IMOR) designed for UAV applications. With dynamically configurable chirp settings, IMOR independently supports both high-altitude measurement and flat terrain detection, while also enabling soft landing on identified flat surfaces. Experimental results demonstrate that IMOR outperforms some existing sensors in terms of size, weight, power consumption, versatility, and computational efficiency, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of micro and small-class UAV operations. © 2025 IEEE.