System and method for using a radar to estimate and compensate for atmospheric refraction
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorsDaniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson, Nathanael A. Meyer, Gregory J. Koenigs, Venkata A. Sishtla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aircraft weather radar system includes an input for receiving data associated with weather radar returns received by an antenna. The aircraft weather radar system further includes processing electronics for performing a routine to analyze radar returns associated with terrain. The processing electronics are configured to determine atmospheric refraction characteristics based on a range and/or an angle to terrain. The routine is based on the determination of atmospheric refraction characteristics.
Claims15
An aircraft weather radar system coupled to an antenna on the aircraft, the aircraft weather radar system comprising:
- an input for receiving data associated with weather radar returns received by the antenna;
- and
- processing electronics configured to perform a routine to analyze radar returns received at the input and associated with terrain using a model of refraction characteristics, wherein the returns from at least one radar beam are utilized to determine an angle and/or altitude of weather or terrain, and to create the model of the atmospheric refraction characteristics on the radar beam as a function of range.
An avionics system, the system comprising:
- means for receiving data associated with weather radar returns received by an antenna;
- means for performing a routine to determine weather radar returns associated with terrain, wherein the returns from at least one radar beam are utilized to determine an angle and/or altitude of weather or terrain, and to create a model of the atmospheric refraction effects on the radar beam as a function of range;
- and
- means for providing atmospheric refraction characteristics based on the model.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.