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US 6,388,607 B1Granted
Multi-sweep method and system for mapping terrain with a weather radar system
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorDaniel L. Woodell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for detecting, processing, and displaying ground mapping radar information which uses multiple scans, at differing automated antenna tilt angles, to generate a single displayed image. This can be used to increase the scanned area of a ground display so as to allow a complete sampling of the ground ahead of the aircraft.
Claims25
A method of mapping terrain and displaying terrain information to a pilot of an aircraft comprising the steps of:
- sweeping an antenna, on said aircraft, to generate a first pencil beam radar beam at a predetermined first tilt angle which causes said first pencil beam radar beam to become involved with terrain targets and collecting and storing a first set of radar returns resulting from said first pencil beam radar beam;
- automatically changing a tilt angle of said antenna to a second tilt angle, without requiring a pilot to make a manual tilt angle adjustment;
- sweeping the antenna to generate a second pencil beam radar beam at said second tilt angle, which causes said second pencil beam radar beam to become involved with terrain targets and collecting and storing a second set of radar returns resulting from said second pencil beam radar beam;
- merging said first set of radar returns and said second set of radar returns and making a composite image, where the composite image has identifiable ground returns therein;
- and,
- displaying said composite image to a pilot.
3 more elements
An apparatus for displaying terrain information comprising:
- a transmitter for generating electromagnetic radiation at predetermined frequencies;
- an antenna for projecting said radiation into a radar beam in a predetermined manner toward terrain targets;
- means for controlling directional characteristics of said antenna;
- a receiver for receiving terrain returns of radiation reflected from said terrain targets;
- a processor for processing said terrain returns and generating terrain display signals;
- mode switch means for selectively enabling and disabling, by pilot intervention, ground return suppression techniques, so as to cause said display signals to selectively include and exclude radar returns which are returns from terrain targets;
- a display for displaying said terrain display signal generated by said a receiver;
- said terrain display signals representative of terrain returns from multiple scans of said antenna, wherein said scans have a plurality of antenna tilt angles with respect to an earth reference.
5 more elements
A method of mapping terrain and displaying terrain information to a pilot of an aircraft comprising the steps of:
- sweeping an antenna, on said aircraft, to generate a first pencil beam radar beam at a predetermined tilt angle, which causes said first pencil beam to become involved with terrain targets and collecting and storing a first set of radar returns resulting from said first pencil beam radar beam;
- translating said antenna along a flight path;
- continuing to sweep said antenna on said aircraft to generate a second pencil beam radar beam at a said tilt angle, which causes said second pencil beam to become involved with terrain targets, and collecting and storing a second set of radar returns resulting from said second pencil beam radar beam;
- said first set of radar returns and set second set of radar returns map different terrain targets depending upon a speed characteristic of said aircraft along said flight path;
- merging said first set of radar returns and said second set of radar returns and making a composite image, where the composite image has identifiable ground returns therein;
- and,
- displaying said composite image to a pilot.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.