Weather radar detection of objects
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorLawrence J. Surace
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some examples, a radar system is configured to mount on an ownship vehicle for interleaving a weather detection mode and an object detection mode. The radar system comprises a phased-array radar device configured to receive weather signals in the weather detection mode, receive sensing signals in the object detection mode, and interleave the weather detection mode and the object detection mode. The radar system further comprises processing circuitry configured to determine weather conditions based on the received weather signals and detect an object based on the received sensing signals.
Claims20
A radar system, configured to mount on an ownship vehicle, and for interleaving a weather detection mode and a noncooperative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detection mode, the radar system comprising:
- an airborne-capable phased-array radar device configured to:
- receive weather signals in the weather detection mode,
- receive sensing signals in the noncooperative UAV detection mode by at least:
- receiving at least one upper elevation beam at a first angle higher than a slope of the ownship vehicle;
- and
- receiving at least one lower elevation beam at a second angle lower than the slope of the ownship vehicle,
- interleave the weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode at an interleaving rate, the interleaving rate being greater than once per two seconds, and
- complete a full cycle through the weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode in less than two seconds;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- determine weather conditions based on the received weather signals, and
- detect a noncooperative UAV based on the received sensing signals, wherein the noncooperative UAV is nonresponsive, and wherein the noncooperative UAV is outside of the system.
A method for interleaving a weather detection mode and a noncooperative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detection mode, the method comprising:
- receiving, by an airborne-capable phased-array radar device, weather signals in the weather detection mode;
- receiving, by the airborne-capable phased-array radar device, sensing signals in the noncooperative UAV detection mode by at least:
- receiving at least one upper elevation beam at a first angle higher than a slope of the ownship vehicle;
- and
- receiving at least one lower elevation beam at a second angle lower than the slope of the ownship vehicle;
- interleaving the weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode at an interleaving rate, the interleaving rate being greater than once per two seconds;
- completing a full cycle through the weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode in less than two seconds;
- determining, by processing circuitry, weather conditions based on the received weather signals;
- and
- detecting, by the processing circuitry, a noncooperative UAV based on the received sensing signals, wherein the noncooperative UAV is nonresponsive, and wherein the noncooperative UAV is outside of the system.
A device comprising a computer-readable medium having executable instructions stored thereon, configured to be executable by one or more processors for causing the one or more processors to:
- cause the airborne-capable phased-array radar device to transmit an azimuth beam;
- receive, from an airborne-capable phased-array radar device, weather signals in the weather detection mode;
- receive, from the airborne-capable phased-array radar device, sensing signals in a noncooperative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detection mode by at least:
- receiving at least one upper elevation beam at a first angle higher than a slope of the ownship vehicle;
- and
- receiving at least one lower elevation beam at a second angle lower than the slope of the ownship vehicle;
- interleave a weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode at an interleaving rate, the interleaving rate being greater than once per two seconds;
- complete a full cycle through the weather detection mode and the noncooperative UAV detection mode in less than two seconds;
- determine weather conditions based on the received weather signals;
- and
- detect a noncooperative UAV based on the received sensing signals, wherein the noncooperative UAV is nonresponsive, and wherein the noncooperative UAV is outside of the system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.