Radar augmented TCAS
AssigneeRockwell Science Center, Inc.
InventorsDaniel L. Woodell, Gilbert M. Smoak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved traffic alert and collision avoidance method and device wherein TCAS data is augmented by higher resolution radar data. By using radar to search out targets, altitude information can be developed for those aircraft not equipped with altitude reporting transponders. The improved accuracy also allows angle/angle perspective display of air traffic and thus provides enhanced situational awareness.
Claims10
A traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) for use in an aircraft, said traffic alert and collision avoidance system comprising:
- a computer processing system for receiving target aircraft position data, determining target aircraft position, and generating a TCAS advisory;
- an interrogator and receiver system connected to said computer processing system, said interrogator and receiver system for communicating with a transponder of target aircraft, said interrogator and receiver system for providing a first set of target aircraft position data to said computer processing system;
- a radar system connected to said computer processing system, said radar system for searching for said target aircraft and for providing a second set of target aircraft position data to said computer processing system, said second set of data having a higher resolution than said first set of data;
- and
- a display connected to said computer processing system for displaying indicia representative of said target aircraft position, wherein said target aircraft position is determined using said second set of target aircraft position data.
A method for detecting and avoiding collisions of an aircraft with target aircraft within a predetermined range of distances and altitudes, said target aircraft comprising an operable transponder, said method comprising the steps of:
- sending an interrogation signal receivable by a transponder of the target aircraft;
- receiving a signal from the transponder of the target aircraft;
- calculating a first estimate of target aircraft position;
- searching for said target aircraft using radar to provide radar returns indicative of the position of said target aircraft;
- using said radar returns to calculate a second estimate of target aircraft position, said second estimate of target aircraft position having a higher resolution than said first estimate of target aircraft position;
- and
- displaying indicia representative of said target aircraft position, wherein said target aircraft position is determined using said second estimate of target aircraft position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.