Distributed monopulse radar antenna array for collision avoidance

A method for detecting an object comprising:

• synchronously transmitting respective pulses from a plurality of monopulse radar antenna segments mounted to a vehicle with respective fields of view;
• receiving return signals from an object at a first monopulse radar antenna segment of the plurality of monopulse radar antenna segments following synchronous transmission;
• converting the return signals into a sum signal and a first difference signal;
• processing the sum signal and first difference signal to estimate a first angle of arrival of the return signals;
• determining a range of the object based on a time difference between a time of transmission and a time of reception by the first monopulse radar antenna segment;
• and
• displaying symbology indicating the range and angular position of the object relative to the vehicle.

An aircraft comprising:

• a plurality of monopulse radar antenna segments having respective fixed fields of view and arranged to form a monopulse radar antenna array having a total field of view, wherein each monopulse radar antenna segment comprises a comparator network configured to form a sum signal representing a summation of return signals received by the monopulse radar antenna segment and form a first difference signal representing a first difference of the return signals received by the monopulse radar antenna segment;
• a user interface configured to present information in a form perceptible to a pilot operating the aircraft;
• and
• a radar antenna array controller electrically connected to the plurality of monopulse radar antenna segments and to the user interface and configured to perform operations comprising:
• calculating a range of an object based on a time difference between a time of transmission of a radar pulse and a time of reception of the return signals by a first monopulse radar antenna segment of the plurality of monopulse radar antenna segments;
• calculating a first angle of arrival of the return signal from the object based on a ratio of the first difference signal and the sum signal;
• and
• sending information regarding the range and the angular position of the object to the user interface.