Range and azimuth resolution enhancement for real-beam radar

A computer readable program storage device, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method of enhancing resolution in a two-dimensional (2D) image generated by a frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar for providing enhanced situational awareness in autonomous approach and landing guidance (AALG) system, comprising the steps of

• forming and displaying a two-dimensional (2D) model of landing conditions from received range and azimuth real beam radar (RBR) signals by rendering one or more target locations and amplitudes in both range and azimuth;
• selecting a region of interest from said displayed 2D model to enhance said one or more target locations and amplitudes in said selected region of interest;
• selectively applying both range and azimuth resolution enhancement as a first option to enhance the rendered one or more target locations and amplitudes in both range and azimuth or applying azimuth resolution enhancement only as a second option to enhance the rendered one or more target locations and amplitudes in azimuth only;
• and
• combining the enhanced one or more target locations and amplitudes to render an enhanced 2D image,
• wherein said first option applies said range resolution enhancement by generating one or more accurate target location estimations of said rendered one or more target locations in range by applying a first beamforming approach and applies said azimuth resolution enhancement by generating one or more second accurate target location estimations in azimuth by applying a second beamforming approach, and said second option accepts the rendered one or more target locations in range and applies said azimuth resolution enhancement by generating one or more accurate target location estimation in azimuth by applying said second beamforming approach.

A method of enhancing resolution in a two-dimensional (2D) image generated by a frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar for providing enhanced situational awareness in autonomous approach and landing guidance (AALG) system, comprising the steps of:

• forming and displaying a two-dimensional (2D) model of landing conditions from received range and azimuth real beam radar (RBR) signals by rendering one or more target locations and amplitudes in both range and azimuth;
• selecting a region of interest from said displayed 2D model to enhance said one or more target locations and amplitudes in said selected region of interest;
• applying azimuth resolution enhancement to enhance the rendered one or more target locations and amplitudes in azimuth;
• and
• combining the one or more target locations and amplitudes in range and azimuth to render an enhanced 2D image,
• wherein said azimuth resolution enhancement is enhanced by generating one or more accurate target location estimations in azimuth by applying a beamforming approach to said target location estimations in azimuth.