Runway identification system and method
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorsKirschen A. Seah, Jeffery A. Finley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A runway identification system and method utilizes a set of (reflectors or sources). The reflectors or sources can be located in proximity to the end of runway. The method receives electromagnetic energy from the reflectors or sources. A runway identification is determined from the electromagnetic energy. The runway identification can be displayed on a display in the aircraft. The reflectors can be corner reflectors, laser reflectors or other reflective optics.
Claims20
A runway identification system, comprising:
- a weather radar system comprising a processor and an antenna, the weather radar system configured to transmit a radar signal and receive radar returns, wherein the radar returns are processed to determine a runway identification based upon a reflection from a set of reflectors, the runway identification including a number representing a runway heading of the runway the number being a physical numerical representation derived from the reflection of the radar signal.
A method of runway identifying utilizing a set of corner reflectors located in proximity to an end of a runway, the method comprising:
- receiving electromagnetic returns from a beam directed toward the set of corner reflectors;
- determining a runway identification from the electromagnetic returns;
- and
- displaying the runway identification, the runway identification including a number representing a runway heading of the runway.
A runway identification system for an airport including a runway, the runway identification system comprising:
- a set of runway corner reflectors, the set of runway corner reflectors configured to reflect a radar beam from an aircraft, the beam being reflected to indicate a code representing an identification of the runway, the identification of the runway including a number representing a runway heading of the runway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.