Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: transmitting, from a RADAR system, a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) RADAR signal in an anechoic chamber; receiving the FMCW RADAR signal at a test antenna in the anechoic chamber; generating a mixing signal; generating a simulated RADAR return signal from the mixing signal and the received FMCW RADAR signal; radiating the simulated RADAR return signal; and receiving the simulated RADAR return signal.

Abstract: A hazardous fire detection radar system that may be mounted on a vehicle, such as aan aircraft to detect bullets, grenades and similar projectiles that may pose a danger to the vehicle. The system may observe a wide field-of-regard (FOR) and for each projectile, determine the range of closest approach to the host platform (miss distance) and an approximate direction of origin. The FMCW radar system measures range and Doppler information for targets within its FOR and resolves Doppler ambiguity by estimating angular information (azimuth and elevation) for each target projectile. The system may estimate angular information by using a monopulse antenna pattern with the radar receiver.

Abstract: A weather radar with a transmission antenna array that outputs a high aspect ratio FMCW transmission beam that illuminates an area in the field of regard in elevation and may be electronically scanned in azimuth. The weather radar includes a receive array and receive electronics that may receive the reflected return radar signals and electronically form a plurality of receive beams that may be used to determine characteristics of the area in the field of regard. The receive beams may be used to determine reflectivity of weather systems and provide a coherent weather picture. The weather radar may simultaneously process the receive signals into monopulse beams that may be used for accurate navigation as well as detection and tracking of objects, such as birds, aircraft, UAVs and the like.

Abstract: In some examples, a system is configured to mount on an ownship vehicle and includes a phased-array radar device configured to transmit radar signals and receive returned radar signals. In some examples, the system also includes a surveillance transponder configured to receive surveillance signals from another vehicle. In some examples, the system further includes processing circuitry configured to detect an object based on the returned radar signals and determine a position of the other vehicle and a velocity vector of the other vehicle based on the received surveillance signals. In some examples, the system includes common signal and data processing circuitry that processes both data from the phased-array radar device and data from the surveillance transponder.

Abstract: An integrated slot waveguide antenna array for a radar system. The antenna array may include substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) elements, transmit, receive and processing electronics in a lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The combination of antenna layout, specific dimensions of SIW features, including vias, terminal edges and slot placement may allow an efficient transmit and receive radar pattern as well as consistent, reliable and low cost manufacturing.

Abstract: In some examples, a radar system includes first direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuitry and first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry configured to generate a first sinusoidal signal based on a first DDS signal generated by the first DDS circuitry. In some examples, the radar system further includes transmitter circuitry configured to generate a radar signal based on the first sinusoidal signal. In some examples, the radar system also includes one or more antennas configured to transmit the radar signal and receive a return signal based on the radar signal. In some examples, the radar system includes second DDS circuitry, second PLL circuitry configured to generate a second sinusoidal signal based on a second DDS signal generated by the second DDS circuitry, and receiver circuitry configured to process the return signal based on the second sinusoidal signal.

Abstract: In some examples, an FMCW radar array includes a housing, a transmit array comprising a plurality of transmit antenna elements configured to output an FMCW transmit beam, a receive array comprising a plurality of receive antenna elements, and a slotted choke disposed between the transmit array and the receive array. The transmit array and the receive array may be mechanically coupled to the housing. In some examples, the slotted choke comprises a plurality of slots having dimensions selected to provide cancellation of electromagnetic radiation from the frequency modulated continuous wave transmit beam to reduce a magnitude of radiation from the transmit array to which the receive array is indirectly exposed.

Abstract: A frequency-modulation, continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system may include a transmit array including a number of transmit antenna elements in a first dimension that is greater than a number of transmit antenna elements in a second dimension. The transmit array may output an FMCW transmit beam that illuminates an area with a greater extent in a first illumination dimension than in a second illumination dimension. The radar system may include a transmit electronics module that electronically scans the transmit beam in the second illumination dimension, and a receive array comprising receive antenna elements. The radar system may include a receive electronics module that generates, using a plurality of receive signals, a plurality of receive beams within the area illuminated by the transmit beam and electronically scans each receive beam in the second illumination dimension such that scanning of each receive beam is coordinated with scanning of the transmit beam.

Abstract: A weather radar with an integrated flat plate slotted array antenna system mounted to a motorized, gimbaled platform. The integrated antenna system includes a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) receiver/transmitter antenna integrated with other printed circuit board (PCB) layers. The PCB includes radar transmitter, receiver and processing circuits configured to communicate with weather radar display and controller units. A protective shield provides radio-frequency (RF) shielding and mechanical support for the integrated antenna system.

Abstract: Methods for radar altimeter integrity monitoring are provided.

Abstract: An integrated slot waveguide antenna array for a radar system. The antenna array may include substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) elements, transmit, receive and processing electronics in a lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The combination of antenna layout, specific dimensions of SIW features, including vias, terminal edges and slot placement may allow an efficient transmit and receive radar pattern as well as consistent, reliable and low cost manufacturing.

Abstract: A radar system to detect and track objects in three dimensions. The radar system including antennae, transmit, receive and processing electronics is all in a small, lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The radar system uses a wide azimuth, narrow elevation radar pattern to detect objects and a Wi-Fi radio to communicate to one or more receiving and display units. One application may include mounting the radar system in an existing radome on an aircraft to detect and avoid objects during ground operations. Objects may include other moving aircraft, ground vehicles, buildings or other structures that may be in the area. The system may transmit information to both pilot and ground crew.

Abstract: A method of improving height measurement resolution for a radar system is provided. The method includes periodically generating, at a FFT processor, a set of FFT bins across a frequency range based on a periodic ramping of a FMCW radar signal from a first frequency to a second frequency; selecting a subset of bins from at least one set of FFT bins by implementing a leading-edge-tracking algorithm by at least one processor; implementing a second algorithm on the selected subset of bins to determine a power ratio between the leading edge tracked bin and the remaining bins in the selected subset of bins to determine an interpolated bin number within the selected subset of bins; and determining an approximate distance to the target based on the interpolated bin number within the selected subset of bins. The sets of FFT bins are indicative of a respective plurality of distances.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for operating a radar altimeter. The method includes transmitting a radar signal at a first frequency, ramping the frequency of the radar signal from the first frequency to a second frequency, and transmitting the radar signal at the second frequency. The reflections can be processed by determining an approximate distance to a target based reflections of the frequency ramp and the approximate distance can be refined based on a phase difference between a reflection of the radar signal transmitted at the first frequency and a reflection of the radar signal transmitted at the second frequency.

Abstract: A frequency-modulation, continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system may include a transmit array including a number of transmit antenna elements in a first dimension that is greater than a number of transmit antenna elements in a second dimension. The transmit array may output an FMCW transmit beam that illuminates an area with a greater extent in a first illumination dimension than in a second illumination dimension. The radar system may include a transmit electronics module that electronically scans the transmit beam in the second illumination dimension, and a receive array comprising receive antenna elements. The radar system may include a receive electronics module that generates, using a plurality of receive signals, a plurality of receive beams within the area illuiminated by the transmit beam and electronically scans each receive beam in the second illumination dimension such that scanning of each receive beam is coordinated with scanning of the transmit beam.

Abstract: In some examples, an FMCW radar array includes a housing, a transmit array comprising a plurality of transmit antenna elements configured to output an FMCW transmit beam, a receive array comprising a plurality of receive antenna elements, and a slotted choke disposed between the transmit array and the receive array. The transmit array and the receive array may be mechanically coupled to the housing. In some examples, the slotted choke comprises a plurality of slots having dimensions selected to provide cancelation of electromagnetic radiation from the frequency modulated continuous wave transmit beam to reduce a magnitude of radiation from the transmit array to which the receive array is indirectly exposed.

Abstract: In some examples, a processor is configured to predict the presence of ice crystals (e.g., high altitude ice crystals) in a volume of airspace based on radar reflectivity values and one or more other types of information indicative of weather conditions in the volume of airspace, such as one or more of: ambient air temperature and altitude. For example, the processor may predict the ice crystals presence by at least estimating the iced water content level within a volume of airspace of interest based on radar reflectivity values for the volume of airspace (e.g., stored as in a three-dimensional buffer) and other information indicative of weather conditions of the volume of airspace. The processor may estimate the iced water content level using a model that relates the information indicative of weather conditions in and around the volume of interest to iced water content in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A radar system including a plurality of mini radars may be conformable to a structure that it is attached or built into. A radar system includes a clock, a plurality of frequency modulated/continuous wave (FM/CW) radar units in signal communication with the clock and a processor in signal communication with the plurality of FM/CW radar units. Each of the plurality of FM/CW radar units includes a row of antenna elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a narrow vertical pathway of detection that permits the enforcement of a fixed “exclusion zone” that is narrow and does not widen with range. An advantage to this approach is that the zone or corridor does not widen with range, permitting a fixed exclusion zone that will ignore items that will pass above or below the wing. An exemplary system located on a vehicle includes at least two vertically separated antennas that receive radar reflection signals, a processor, and an output device. The processor receives the radar reflection signals received by the antennas, determines vertical position of any obstacles identified in the radar reflection signals and determines if the obstacles are within a predefined alert zone. The output device outputs an alert if any obstacle is within the alert zone. The predefined alert zone is related to a protruding portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an efficient radar system that can operate at both near and far ranges. An exemplary radar system includes a controller that generates a clock signal and a mode signal, a transmitter with a synthesizer, and a dual-mode transmitter. The synthesizer and the transmitter generate a signal in a first or a second mode (frequency ranges) based on the clock or mode signals. An antenna transmits the generated signal and receives a return signal based on the transmitted signal. A receiver processes the received return signal according to the first or second mode, based on the generated at least one clock signal or mode signal. A processor determines existence of a target included in the processed return signal. An output device (such as a display device) outputs a presentation based on the determination. The system operates in FMCW or pulse modes.