US 5,334,985 A · Azimuth range velocity display and cursor for use therewith

Abstract

A method of displaying and determining the velocity of radar returns of frequency modulated continuous wave radars including the steps of determining a velocity for each radar return from a detected beat frequency associated with received radar returns, and displaying (for successive radar dwells) one or more major plots indicating range, azimuth and velocity of any radar returns. Each major plot is characterized by a velocity axis with a maximum and a minimum display velocity. The major plots are composed of minor plots indicating range, azimuth and velocity of any radar return and are characterized by a velocity axis that extends between zero velocity and the magnitude of greatest possible velocity corresponding to the range of the detected beat frequencies. Between successive radar dwells, radar returns on one side of the said zero velocity remain substantially in the same display position whereas associated radar returns displayed on the other side of the zero velocity do not remain substantially in the same position. Furthermore, classification of radar returns is assisted by displaying the radar returns on a display, displaying predicted radar return positions of a radar return on the display where the prediction of the position of the radar returns is in accordance with radar return azimuth from an antenna and estimates of the heights of the E and F layers.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method for displaying and determining the velocity associated with received radar return signals from frequency modulated continuous wave radar systems, comprising the steps of:

determining a velocity for each radar return signal from a detected beat frequency associated therewith;
and
displaying, on a visual display system having successive radar dwells, one or more major plots indicating range, azimuth and velocity of said each radar return signal, whereby:
each major plot is associated with a velocity axis assigned a maximum and a minimum display velocity;
each said major plot is composed of minor plots indicating range, azimuth and velocity of each radar return signal and associated with a velocity axis extending between zero velocity value and a magnitude value of greatest possible velocity corresponding to a range of detected beat frequencies;
said minor plots are repeated, end upon end with respect to the velocity axes, whilst the velocity displayed is not larger than said maximum display velocity nor smaller than said minimum display velocity;
and
the transition from one minor plot to an adjacent minor plot corresponds to zero velocity;
and
wherein, between successive radar dwells, radar return signals falling on one side of said zero velocity value remain substantially in a same display position, while radar return signals, falling on an opposite side of the zero velocity value, do not remain substantially in the same display position.

7 more elements

An apparatus for displaying and determining the velocity associated with received radar return signals transmitted from frequency modulated continuous wave radar systems, comprising:

processor means for calculating a velocity for each radar return signal from a detected beat frequency associated therewith;
and
visual display means for displaying successive radar dwells as one or more major plots to indicate range, azimuth and velocity of said each radar return signal, whereby:
each major plot is associated with a velocity axis assigned a maximum and a minimum display velocity;
each said major plot is composed of minor plots indicating range, azimuth and velocity of each radar return signal and associated with a velocity axis extending between zero velocity value and a magnitude value of greatest possible velocity corresponding to a range of detected beat frequencies;
said minor plots are repeated, end upon end with respect to the velocity axes, whilst the velocity displayed is not larger than said maximum display velocity nor smaller than said minimum display velocity;
and
the transition from one minor plot to an adjacent minor plot corresponds to zero velocity;
and
wherein, between successive radar dwells, radar return signals falling on one side of said zero velocity value remain substantially in a same display position, while radar return signals falling on an opposite side of the zero velocity value, do not remain substantially in the same display position.

7 more elements

A method for assisting classification of radar return signals, comprising the steps of displaying said radar return signals on a visual display, predicting radar return signal positions, and displaying the predicted radar return signal positions on the visual display, wherein the prediction of the position of the radar return signals is performed on the basis of a radar return signal azimuth from an antenna and estimates of the heights of ionospheric E and F layers.

An apparatus for assisting classification of radar return signals, comprising visual display means for displaying said radar return signals, means for predicting radar return signal positions, and means for displaying the predicted radar return signal positions on the visual display means, wherein the prediction of the position of the radar return signals is performed on the basis of a radar return signal azimuth from an antenna and estimates of the heights of ionospheric E and F layers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Azimuth range velocity display and cursor for use therewith

Life of this patent

Azimuth range velocity display and cursor for use therewith

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34