Altitude measurement system and associated methods

Abstract

An altitude measuring system and method for aircraft is provided. The altitude measuring system includes altitude sensors for providing data to an altitude processing unit. The altitude processing unit spatially averages each output to determine a mean altitude. Pitch and roll are accounted for by correction. A method of determining aircraft altitude from a plurality of altitude sensors includes receiving altitude sensor data from each sensor and spatially averaging the altitude sensor outputs to determine aircraft altitude. A method of estimating the maximum height of an ocean surface includes receiving a plurality of altitude sensor data and determining a mathematical description of the ocean surface from the sensor data. The maximum probable wave height of the ocean surface is estimated from the mathematical description. From the maximum wave height, a cruise altitude may be determined.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.