Optimized antenna scan strategy for windshear detection

A method comprising:

• performing two or more horizontal scans at constant tilt angles;
• determining signal-to-noise ratios of a return signal of each of the horizontal scans;
• determining the first tilt angle and second tilt angle based on the signal-to-noise ratios by determining corresponding sets of signal-to-noise ratios and signal-to-clutter ratios, and selecting the first tilt angle and second tilt angle based on a predefined threshold of signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-clutter ratio;
• beginning a horizontal scan with the antenna at a first tilt angle corresponding to a first peripheral view;
• adjusting the antenna to a second tilt angle during an intermediate segment of the scan corresponding to a center view;
• and
• adjusting the antenna to the first tilt angle during an end segment of the scan corresponding to a second peripheral view,
• wherein the first tilt angle is higher than the second tilt angle.

A radar system comprising:

• at least one antenna;
• and
• at least one processor in data communication with the at least one antenna and a memory storing processor executable code for configuring the at least one processor to:
• perform two or more horizontal scans at constant tilt angles;
• determine signal-to-noise ratios of a return signal of each of the horizontal scans;
• determine the first tilt angle and second tilt angle based on the signal-to-noise ratios by determining corresponding sets of signal-to-noise ratios and signal-to-clutter ratios, and selecting the first tilt angle and second tilt angle based on a predefined threshold of signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-clutter ratio;
• begin a horizontal scan with the antenna at a first tilt angle corresponding to a first peripheral view;
• adjust the antenna to a second tilt angle during an intermediate segment of the scan corresponding to a center view;
• and
• adjust the antenna to a third tilt angle during an end segment of the scan corresponding to a second peripheral view,
• wherein the first tilt angle and third tilt angle are higher than the second tilt angle.