United States Patent 11; Kreithen ‘USOOS7 740880 (11) Patent Number: [45]_Date of Patent: 5,774,088 Jun, 30, 1998 [53] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WARNING BIRDS OF HAZARDS. Pa [75] Inventor: Melvin L. Krelthen, Pittsbu [73] Assignee: The University of Pittsburgh, Pisburgh, Pa [21] Appi. Now 852,915 [22] Filed: May 8, 1997 Related US. Appl [63] Contimation of Ser No, $8,093 Feb, 7, 1996, abandoned, ‘nich continuation of Ser. No. 280,287, Jal, 26, 1994, Mentoned [SL] Int. Cl’ Gois 1393 342/22 342/22; 367/139; 11622. [56] References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS. SIONS 897% ach 622 4502212 12/1985 Tomlinson, Sr ta S16 44ese770 “41087 Nutle 116224 4736907 4/1988 ‘Steffen 244i R 4709.78 9/988. Beuter ea. 367/139 SUSL338 1/1993. Chatten “358 S.20,707 12/1993 Schulte aos (OTHER PUBLICATIONS Behavioral Energetics: The Cost of Suevval in Vertebrates, by Melvin L-Kreithen, Ohio State University Press, 1983, pp. 3-28 Frequency Shift Discrimination: Can Homing. Pigeons Locate Infrasounds by Doppler Shifts?, by Douglas Quine and Melvin Keithen; Jouraal of Comparative Physiology 141, pp. 153-155, Infeasound Detection by the Homing Pigeon: A Behavior Audiogram, The Joumal of Comparative Physiology, 123, pp. 1-4, 1979) Homing Pigeons:, Their Navigation and Sensory Abilities, by Melvin [. Kreithen, New York's Food and Life Seiences, vol. 12, No. 1, 1979, p. 13-15, Sensory Mechanisms for Animal Orientation—Can Any [New Ones Be Discovered? by Melvin L, Krvithen, Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 1978, pp. 25-34 (List coatiaued on next page) Primary Examiner—Han J, Lobo Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fleh Hobbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP 57) ABSTRACT ‘A hazard warning system radiates pulses of microwave energy inthe frequency range of 1 GHz to about 40 GHz 10 ler and swam targct tying bieds of the presence of wind turbine eleceical generators, power distribution systems, aircraft, and other protected arcs from hazardous iniusion. The warning system includes & contol vat governing pulse control circuitry that outputs pulses ranging Irom about Ss to about 25 ys ia duration, These pulses wigger a pulsed source of microwave energy that i couple! toa microwave Antenna that emanates the Waring radiation, The radiation is sensed! by the birds auditory system, attaining their tention to the presence of the protected ares, The sensed ‘dition itself may cause the birds to veer from 2 collision ‘course, or supplemental hazand-waraing radiation including tliaviolet ight and infrasound may also be employed. A, ‘proximity detector ean enhance operating elficiency by Seering the antenna loward a detected target, Further, the ‘warning system ean remain in standby made vntil alerted by the proximity detector to the presence of target birds, ‘whereupon the ‘warning system begins to output pulsed microwave energy. The pulse contol circuitry may be ‘eased to generate complex pulse trains that can preferably evoke a biologically significant response within recipient birds. The warning system operates atthe speed of light and ‘an transi a benign Waring, ransparenty to humans. Not ‘nly is an area protected by the system, but the birds themselves can be protected from the area, 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Sheets a 7 %5,774,088 Page 2 (OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ultaviolet Light Detection by the Homing Pigeon, (printed from Nature, vol. 272, pp. 347-348, Mar. 23, 1978), Kithen, ot al, “Infrasound Detection by the Homing Pigeon: A Behavioral Audiogram", J. Comp. Physiol. 129, 1-4 (1979. Quine et a, “Frequency Shift Discrimination: Can Homing Pigeons Locate nftasounds by Doppler Shits?” J. Comp. Physiol 141, 153-155 (1981) Foster & Finch, “Microwave Hearing: Evidence for Ther- moacoustie Auditory Stimulation by Pulsed Microwaves", Science vol. 155, pp. 256-258, 19 Jul. 1974 Lin, “Microwave Auditory Effects and Applications” ‘Chatdes C. Thomas Publisher (1978). Caldera, JD, “The Birds as a Menace to Flight Safety”, [National Research Counc, World Conference on Bird Haz~ ards to Airralt, 1969 Ontario Canada ‘Tanner et al, “Microwaves—A Potential Solution to the Bird Hazard Problem in Aviation”, World Conf. on Bied Hazards to Aircraft, Ont. Can, 1969, ‘Wasserman et aly, “Eeeis on Chronic Cootiauous were Microwave Radiation...” Space Poser, vo. 6, pp. 99-15, 1986, ‘Tanner, J. A, “Effet of Microwave Radiation on Birds", Nature, voi. 210, (S036), p. 636, May, 1966.5,774,088 Sheet 1 of 3 Jun. 30, 1998 U.S. Patent T qunsiUS. Patent Jun. 30, 1998 Sheet 2 of 3 5,774,088 FIGURE 2US. Patent Jun. 30, 1998 Sheet 3 of 3 5,774,088 YMA Aan A cca, FIGURE 45,774,088 1 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WARNING BIRDS OF HAZARDS. This is continuation of application Ser. No. 08/598,093 filed Feb, 7, 1996, now abandoned which isa continuation ‘of application See. No. O8/280,287 filed Jul. 26, 1994 now abandoned FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention relates generally to systems that seck to ward off flying birds, and more specifically to systems for protecting wind turbine electrical power gencritors, eletrcal power distribution equipment. flying feral, and other objeets from danger from fying birds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flying birds can represent a safety havard to many ‘objects, an conversely sich objects represent hazard 0 the hinds. Birds cllting with wind tumine electrical gca- ‘erator ean not ony damage the generators, bu generally ate fnjured or dic ax a result. For example, in northera California, te eosin death of eagles and eter provected bind species has resulted in cavionmcatal ligation these ‘ning to curtail operation of such generators. Fuster, bicls colliding with high voltage poser lines ean break or shor teil the line, inferpting electrical power distribution. ‘The result power outage can aso catse damage 10 the ‘equipment generating and distributing the high wolteg. Io Seki, sparks from broken powerlines can tat fies Binds also proscat a serious danger to lying irra. A medium sized bird striking the windshield of engine aa dicrlt in fight can damage the aizcraf, endangering the Safety of those on board. Even mover jet aieraft are stscepible to damage Irom birds, Not only’ ean they break the windshield bt bird ean be sucked int thea intake of 2 jet eogine. The resllant engine damage can requite Substantial maintenance to reps Binds that ly into skyscrapers, monuments and the like can also erate serous danger bid ying atthe window ‘of a skyscraper may ease serious injury To persons on the round cu by falling broken indw glass. Although beds that ly into oter lage objects may not presenta serious a hazard to humans, repasing ay resultant damage ean be risky and expensive Te is known in the act ose ashing lights to try o ware binds away from an object. Tor example, US. Pat. No 5,270,307 to Schule etal discloses using Mashing irrat Highs to ward off ivlight impact with birds. Apparctly bide viewing the flashing lights may tend to change ths ‘course to avoid collision. cis generally asumed that dying bids will not know- ingly calle with an object. However, the efficiency of Schute et als system is diminished unless the preseace of the aircraft ix indeed communicated to the bitds by the Tights The bids may not be loking athe aircraft (and thus at the lights), pethaps because they ae searching for food, are viewing predator including oer binds. Aliercvels the lighis may not he seen by the birds because visibility is diminished de 1 inclement Weather Tes also known to we reflector strips tha are intended 10 ‘eter tds in searccra-ike fasion fom a protected aa sich as-2 garden, For example, power wility companies fie moust passive stip of reflecting matecal neat high ‘ollage lowers and lines in an attempt toward off bids Towever, sich passive strips are of litle use during darkness % o 2 or other periods of diminished visibility. Further, sueh passive strips donot actively communicate ibeir presence to the birds, whose attention may in fact be directed elsewhere unter, bcause reflector strips tend to present a substan silly constant stimulus pattera to the birds, whatever warn- ing effec hey initially provide soon diminishes. This effet js termed “adaptation”, and is analogous to the ability of| humans to disregard & contiauous loud noise (or other stimulus) affer bearing the ooise tor afew minutes tis also known 1 use audible sound waves to ty o ward ‘off impact by flying birds. However, if the environment to Be protected from avian collision is ois, the elfiieney of such Sound! waves is climinished, Further, cause acoustic waves. propagate at only about 1,100 feet'second (335 m/second), ny bene they might provide cat literally over too slowly to be of use Unfortunately, the use of light energy or acoustic energy is conspicuous and thus not transparent to humans in the vicinity. What is meant by “aol transparcat” is that humans ‘ot intended! t© he the target of the hazard communication system can sense the objectanaouncing light or sound radiation, and become distracted or otherwise annoyed In general, active hazard warning systems, e.., Hashing lights or radiated sound waves, tod tobe active at al times, even if potential danger from flying birds is not present. Such constant activation is not always desirable, especially if the lights oF sound will nedlessiy annoy humans in the fares to be protected. In adkltion, constant activation is Undesirable because it causes adaptation, whereby the ‘ecipicat birds soon pay litle or ao attention tothe stimu, Further, consaat activation of such systems wastes operat ing elecrieal power, and shortens the working lifetime ofthe Doazard warning system. Ths, there isa ace fora hazard communication system {o alert and warn birds of the presence of an objector area with which @ collision should be avoided. Such system should preferably be transparent to humans in the protected fares, and should communicate its warning atthe spoed of light Funber, the eflicieney of the warning should not be substantially diminished by poor visibility or ambient acous- tie noise, oF by the target not looking atthe source of the system radiation, Such system should also minimize a tiom by the birds receiving the warning, Finally, sch syste should he capable of activation only when a tanget is sulicenty close to the protected repion to warrant commu- nicatng the presence of the protected region 0 the target The present invention discloses such a system SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention communicates the presence of a protected area to flying birds and other vertebrates by raditing pules of microwave energy to announce the presence of such area. Applicant has discovered that 54 10 "75s pues of microwave radiation inthe 1 GH to 40 GHz range are sensed by the birds apparently by stimulating their auditory system. ‘The pulsed microwave radiation attains the birds’ sen tion in's benign manner, serving to communicate the pres: ence of the protected area to the birds. This attetion- stabbing warning is communicated to the birds at the spect flight, without regard to visibility conditions, nd without regard lo whether the birds happen to be looking toward the protected area ‘The effect of the pulsed microwave radiation upon the birds’ auditory system may itself cause the birds to veer ofT5,774,088 7 ‘course, to void collision with the now-notioed protected ates However ellison avoidance maybe further enhanced by providing supplemental hazatd-warning radiation inelud- ing light, ulraviolt, andor sound, including inrasound ‘The eliciency of sch aclitional warning radiation may be promoted because the bids" atention will have been tained bythe present invention The presen invention includes a conto uit hat goveens pulse cptrl circuitry whose output triggers a pulsed source Df microwave energy in the T though Ky bands. The Imirowave eneray is eovpled to'& mcrowawe antenna sys {em that emanates the protctive radiation fo announce the presence of the protected are The microwave energy Preferably is radiated at average power lvelsin the approx fale range 1 mem" 10 10 mem” for considerations of ‘vironmental safety The present invention can be used to ‘Communicate to binds the presence of verse protected areas ‘or objects, for example wind turbine power generators, power tansmisson systems, and aibomesieratt “To minimize stimulus adaptation by th seipient bids and to promote efective communication ofthe warming, the Pulse Control circuitry preferably permits gevetating ‘Complex, pulse-cade mealstion type waveforms, Suitably ‘complex pulse tras ae believed to evoke biologically relevant esponse, causing the recipient ind to he mare alee to the warning The antenna system preferably is tecrable to increase the cdetve range ofthe prseced area The preseat invention tay include an optional proximity detector that ean detect the presence of nearby targets. The output from the prox Smmay detector may be used to sec the antensn tows the setcted large, this enbancing system operating eicieacy Farther, the proximity detector allows maining the present invention ia a standby mode soil sich tie a8 ‘ncoming targets are detected by the proximily detector ‘Upon get detection, the present invention enters an active mode, and emits the microwave radiation for as long. 3s the targets remain in proximity to the protected area. Such bimodal system operation hoth conserves operating powee anh extends the lifetime of the system, Further, such pera: tion testo eduee adaption by recipical bids estuse the hazard communicating system ses misro- wave rater than vistle light o acoustic energy, the preset Invention is transpareat to humans not within te radiation target range of the antenna sysem. Furtet, the system feimigs wanspaent ifthe supplemental bazardowaring Fatation i uravile. Other features and advansgesof the invention will appear from the following. desertion in whieh the prefered ‘embodiments have been set Toh in deli, in conjunction ‘with the accompanying drawings, [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 isa block diagram of an hazard communication system, according tothe present invention; FIG. 2 depicts protection ofa wind turbine power gen- ‘erator with 4 hazard communication system, sceotding 10 the present inveation; IG. 3 depicts proteetion ofa power tansmision system ‘with « hazard communication system, according to the presen invention; FIG. 4 depicts protection of an aircraft in fight with a hazard communication sysiem, according 10 the preseat DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 depicts « hazard communication system 10 as ‘emanating 3 primary mivcowave radiation 12 that stains the % o 4 attention of birds 14 (and possibly bas) within the effective range of the radiation, By thus allaining the immediate attention of the binds, the bieds may be warned of the presence of a protected region, and a collision by the birds ‘ith the protected region may be avoided Alternatively, supplemental secondary eminators may ‘ese the birds to veer off couse, avoiding &eolision. Such secondary eminators are more likely to be noticed by the birds, whose attention as been atisined by the primary pulsed microwave radiation. ‘More specifically, the present invention 10 includes 3 control unit 16 that governs operation of pulse contol ircuitey 18, whose ouput triggers = pulsed source of jerowave energy 20, The pulsed microwave energy is fed to a microwave antenna system 22 and radiated as primary jesowave energy 12, Pulse coateol circuitry 18 preferably fulpats fixed duration pulses having a pulse width in the range of about 5 fs to about 75 4s. For a given pulse wid, the duty eycle of the pulse trin is determined from the average power level of microwave energy to be provided. A rarower pulse widih will have a higher duty cycle for 2 given level of average power than will a longer pulse width, Optionally, a pulse modulator unit 26 is coupled to the pulse contol circuitry 18. Modulator unit 26 iatroduces 2 ‘dlilated Variation in the time between preferably fixed- ‘duration pulse widths, which duration wares from. sbout (0.001 H'to about 10 KHz, Modulation fom unit 26 e: advantageously reduce adaptation in recipient birds by var ing in complex manner the pattems of ouput eadiaion 12 Funher, by suitably programming unit 26, the auditory stem of recipient birds 14 may be stimulated using non- thermal microwave energy 12 to evoke biologically relevent responses. For example, a complex pattern of pulsed miero- ‘wave radiation 12 ideally would evoke the sme response in 4 recipient bird 14 that the alarm call or warning Sbriek of| another bird would evoke. However, evoking other esponses could also stain the bids” atwetion but perhaps less effectively. Central conte! unit 16 monitors sad contols pulse con- trol circuit 18, which in turn conteos the pulse parameters associated with microwave energy source 20, Central eon- ol unit 16 typically will also include bi-directional com- ‘munications (0 a remote operator site, Safety interlock 24 provides for shutdown of system 10 in case of any potential Sanger to service personnel orto system components. Pulse enerey source 20 preferably includes a magnetron ‘ra cavity oscillator operating inthe range of shout 1.0 GHz to about 40 GH. Applicant has found that pulsed miero- wave radiation the range 1.0 GHz to about 25 GHz is quite effective, and radiation in the approximate range 15 Gz 10 about 25 GHz should be similarly quite useful This miero~ wave energy is coupled ftom source 2010 antenna system 22 using coavial cable or waveguides. Antenna system 22 Jncludes an antenna whose direction of radiation preferably cain be steered to dieet the primary mierowave emissions 12 toward targets 14 Applicant as discovered that the emission of such pulsed mierowave radiation is sensed by pigeons, apparently by alfecting their auditory system in a non-thermal mannce Even withovt emitting 4 complex pattem of pulses, the resultant effet upon the birds ix believed perhaps to be anslogovs oa bzzng clicking. poping sensation in tbe During testing by applicant, applicant exposed pigeons to ' and L-band pulsed microwave radiation, using fixed pulse ‘Widths in the approximate range 5 4s to 75 ps, and more5,774,088 5 preferably approximately 5s (o about 25 x, In providing this microwave energy, pulse width, pulse duty cycle and repetition rate into the pulsed microwave source were con- trolled to limit the radiation density to less than about 1 imwiem* to 10 mwem*, an envioamentaly safe evel Under laboratory conditions, the ability of such birds 10 sense the microwave radiation was confirmed by monitoring 4 standard conditioned esediae response. Within sbout three ‘seconds ater exposure to this microwave radiation, pigeons having a baseline heartbeat of about 100 beats/minute were found o experience a relatively sudden ineease of shout 40 beatsiminute, a 40% increase, The onset of the heartbeat ‘change oceutred within a second of so of the onset of ‘exposure to the pulsed microwave radiation. fa reality, the Pulsed microwave radiation is sensed instantly. by the pigeons, and the delay in attaining a detectable change in heart rate represents normal response latency. While applicant's testing was directed to pigeons, i is believe that other birds and possibly bats would also sense their exposure to the pulsed mirowave radiation ‘As noted, applicants pulsed microwave energy is sensed by bieds, thus ataning their attention, which may include ‘immediate communication tothe birds ofthe presence ofthe ate of abject to be protected, Once aware, the bieds cab avoid knowingly colliding with the protected area or object. With reference i FIG. I, after the presence an area of object protected by radiation 12 i comainicated to birds 14 by the ‘adiatio, the birds should take evasive action. Such action ‘ean include veering olf a collision course, preferably by flying out ofthe target zone that is radiated by microwave antenna system 22 Because avian hazard communication according t0 the present invention uses microwave rater than visible ight of Acoustic energy it is transparent to humans not within the ‘effective radiation path ofthe antenna system 22, Further, microwave radiation travels at the speed of light, and thus the attention-attaining effect of radiation 12 upon targets 14 ‘canbe realized relatively instantaneously. Furber, it willbe appreciated that the effectiveness of the emanating micro- ‘wave radiation 12 is not diminished by inclement weather, ‘or the dreetion in which target 14 may be atthe moment. Optionally, system 10 includes & hazard proximity detec ‘or 28 that can include motion detectors, beat detectors, ‘imple radar systems, and the like. The function of detector nit 28 is co detect when targets 14 ave approached sufficiently close to the area protected by system 10 to ‘constitute a potential hazard. ‘Until detector 28 signals a potential hazard, contol unit 16 sel the remainder of system 10 may remain in a standby ‘mode. In standby mode, no radiation is emanated by antenna ‘sjstem 22, and system 10 consumes celatively litle ope ing power, However, when detector 28 signals that a target 14 is nearing the protected zone, conical unit 16 causes puked microwave Source 20 to oulput microwave energy that is radiated by antenna system 22 ‘Once targets 14 have sensed pulsed microwave radiation 12, are alerted to the presence of the area protected by system 10, and have veered their course or otherwise avoided the target zone, detector 28 once again returns ‘system 10 tthe standby mode. If desired, hazard proximity detector 28 can share the microwave antenna system 22 for deecting purposes. Futher, upon actually detecting a target 14, the hazard proximity detector 28 can cause antenna system 22 o be pointed more directly at target 14 ‘Thus, the inchision of a hazard proximity detector 26 can ‘enhanc’ the opera xy of system 10. In addition, % o 6 adaptation by target binds 14 is 12 is not always present. Further, by perm ing standby ‘mexle operation until the ned to emanate microwave ralia- ‘ion is actually at hand, proximity detector 28 helps conserve system operating power, and also inreases system 10 opera- tional lifetime. Optionally, system 10 can also emit secondary radiations. For example, secondary source unit 30 can provide control signals and voltages to secondary eminator unit 32, whieh ‘may inelude flashing lamps used with various lenses andior filters, acoustic loudspeakers, and the like. These secondary light and/or acousiie emanations can provide additional ‘waming to targets 14, and are more likely tobe noticed ater the target birds have sensed the primary radiation 12 ‘One useful secondary emission is acoustic enengy 34, especially enemy containing frequencies in the approximate range 0.001 Hz Io about 10 KHz. Applicant has discovered thatthe auditory system of birds is quite sensitive at intra. sound frequencies. Further, the emission of infresound requencies, ¢-g, 0.001 Hz to about 10 Hz advantageously is transparent to humans. An earlier discovery of applicant i the birds recognize ulleaviolet radiation 36 i the 305 nm to 400 nen range, and especially in the approximate range 325 nm to about 375 fam, Applicant has discovered that an effective Way 10 generate sich radiation transparently to humans isto filter ‘components from the output ofa stobe-type lamp 38. More specifically, the stcoe-lamp output is pased through filter sandwich comprising a type UG-1 Sebot glass layer 40, one surface of which includes a preferably vacuum-deposited fnlisred blocking coating 42. (While FIG. 1 shows costing 42 facing sway from lamp 38, the sandwich may be reversed 0 coating 42 faces toward limp 38)) The net effect is that radiation 36 is broad bandwidth ultraviolet, with ao red ‘components that would be visible 10 humans. OF course, if the radiation were not required tobe transparent to humans, the anti-red coating layer could be omitted. The resultant radiation 36 would be broad bandwidth wlreviolet that Included red components visible to humans In some applications, it may in fact be possible to wars birds 14 of a hazard by using system 10 that includes secondary eminators 32, but that omits the pulsed micro- wave source 20 and antenna systom 32, FIG. 2 depicis the use of system 10 to warn binds 1 ofthe presence of a wind tusbine generator system $0. Typically ‘generator system $0 inches a tvker $2 that may be perhaps. 4T0'm or more in height, slop which is located an electrical generator 4 that i otated by wind-blown turbine blades $6 Because the power generating efficiency of system 50 increases with the sizeof the blads, blades $6 may be 30 ‘or more in length. Although FIG. 2 depicts system 10 as mounted atthe top of tower 82, system 10 may be disposed elsewhere. It sulices if the pulsed microwave radiation 12 emanating from the microwave antenna system 22 effectively covers the region whose presence isto be communicated to birds 14 {o avoid avian impact, If desired, operating voliage for system 10 may be obtained from generator 54, which typically is coupled to an electrical grid eurying electrical power. In applications where there is no coupling t0 an clecrial grid, the generator S4 ouput voltage could be Supplemented by a rechargeable storage battery. This would permit powering system 10, even when the absence of wind feaused generator 84 10 eease generating voliuge Birds, bats othe ike 14 approaching the protected ares of system 10 sense the presence ofthe pulsating microwave5,774,088 1 ‘energy 12, apparently by the radiation’s effeet upon thei fuitory system, The resultant auditory elect serves to allan the attention of the birds, The microwave energy 12 itself ‘may cause the birds to avoid flying into the protected area, pethaps 10 minimize the auditory effect, Alternatively, the ‘ow more altentive birds may observe the protected area of ‘system 10, and veer off course 1 avoid contact. Optionally, if secondary sources and eminators (6. ‘elements 28, 30 in FIG. 1) are included, such second Fadiation may also alert and eause the birds to change course to avoid a collision, Eventually the birds will fy out of regions of the antenna radiation path having suficient ‘energy density to alfect their auctry system, Once the bids have s0 veered, they no longer endanger the portion of _system 50 being protected. Conversely, the protected rion ‘would no longer threaten the birds, ‘The net result is that the hazard presented to system 50 and the hazard o bins 14 from an avian collision will have been avoided. Further, this hazard warning can oocur at the speed of light, independently of weather conditions, and ‘occurs transparently to humans inn area not encompassed by the antenna radiation field. In alton, it wil be sppre- 1 thatthe warning i benign in that the levels of emitted microwave energy preferably are sulficieally low in density to alert but not harm the reipient target birds 14. FIG. 3 dlepiets the application of system 10 to warn birds 14.10 the presence ofa protected area of an electric power distribution system 60, The purpose of such warning isto prevent a collision by the birds with the protected area System 10 may (but aced nol) include the secondary sources and eminators 30, 32 aad the hazard proximity detector 28 deseribed earlier In FIG. 3, system 60 includes a ullity tower 62 that carries various high voltage conductors 64, a transformer Aandior other equipment 66, OF course, system 60 may Jnclude other components as well, r as alternatives to What {shown in FIG. 3. Although system 10 is depicted as mounted stop tower 62, system 10 may be disposed else- ‘where providing that radiation 12 emanating fom tke micro- ‘wave antenna system 22 covers the region whose presence 's to be communicated to binds 14, to avoid avian impact. ‘These skilled ia the relevant att will appreciate that oper- ing vollage for system 10 may be oblained by stepping ‘down voltages present in lines 64, Although FIG. 3 shows system 10 as protecting a power disiibuton sys 60, tower 62 could in fact represent some ‘ther object whase presence is w be communicated 10 ‘oncoming avians. As such, protected object 62 could rep- resent a skyscraper, tall monument, among other objects ‘Agaia, flying birds or bats 14 will he warned of the presence ofthe protected portion of system 60 by the pulsed microwave energy 12 andor secondary eminators 32. As % 8 was described with respect 0 FIG, 2, the likelihood of avi contact is reduced in benign manner, preferably tanspat- ently to humans in the ares FIG. 4shows another application of the present invention 10, whose components are mounted within ap aiteralt 70.19 system 10 emanates pulsed microwave radiation 12 ids and the like 14 {o the airerafl, whereupon the birds will veer off course. Possibly system 10 can share existing microwave antenna and otber system facilities already present in alteraft 70, Aleratvely, sysiem 10 can include its own microwave Antenna system 22 as shown in FIG. 1 Tis understood that PIG. 4 lke FIGS. 2 and 3, is not dean to scale In military aireaft applications, the use of a bazard proximity detector 8 may advantageously permit aircraft 70 {o ly over terrain without needlessly emanating radiation 12 tnt actually required to warn andioe deter targets 14 In this fashion, the presence of aitralt 70 is less likely to be elected by hostile aircraft or grown forces monitoring for pulsed microwave radiation frequeneies inthe 1.0 GHz to 40 Gite range [Normlly, system 10 emits a benign density of radiation 12 that complies with enviconmental safety standards. In contrast to sich benign use, for an aiteraft protection system such as shown in FIG. 4, it may be feasible to use substan- tilly larger magnitudes Of pulsed! microwave radiation that intentionally damages one ox more organs inthe birds. Such Gamage may in laet impair the birds’ ability to orient themselves an! to continue flying. In this fshion, the safety of aircraft 70 and all on board could be ensured, Other features ane advantages ofthe invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set frth in detail, in conjunction ‘wit the accompanying drawings. For example, although the preferred embodiments use fixed-width pulses, those skilled inthe ar will recognize that pulses of variable width may be used as well. Modifications and vacations may be made 10 the disclosed embodiments without departing fom the sub- {ect and spirit of the invention as defined by the following, aims, ‘What is claimed is: 1. Amethod for benigaly communicating the presence of an object to a flying vertebrate, the method comprising the following steps: propagating a region at least partially suerounding ssid ‘object with pulses of microwave enengy having an average power level of about 1 mwiem, whotein ssid pulses of microwave energy are selected o elicit a ‘warning signal within ssid fing vertebrate’s auditory system without physically harming suid flying vert bate