Abstract: A weather radar system includes a non-transitory processor-readable medium that causes a processor to control a radar antenna to conduct a vertical radar scan of a weather cell over a vertical scan area and first and second horizontal scan segments of a horizontal radar scan over first and second horizontal scan areas; receive radar return data indicative of a characteristic of each scan area; determine a first and second altitude of a storm top of the weather cell for first and second locations based on the characteristic of a scan area; and cause a display device to display storm top height data indicative of the storm top of the weather cell based on the radar return data. The first horizontal scan segment is conducted at the first altitude and the second horizontal scan segment is conducted at the second altitude and with a higher resolution than the other radar scans.

Abstract: A method of determining the ground speed or drift angle of an aircraft is described. It is determined whether or not a weather threshold has been met based on returns of a radar beam which is pulse compressed in a first scan. If the weather threshold is determined to have not been met, a ground speed or drift angle of the aircraft is determined based on Doppler processing of radar beam returns of a radar beam in a second scan. If the weather threshold has been met, a bottom radar beam is directed lower to the ground, and a ground speed or drift angle of the aircraft is determined based on Doppler processing returns of the bottom radar beam directed lower to the ground. A corresponding radar system is also described.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a weather radar system, comprising: processing electronics configured to: determine (i) a presence of a turbulence at a target based on the weather radar return data received from an input device as a result of at least one scan of the target and (ii) positional information, which comprises at least one altitudinal coordinate of at least one of the target and the turbulence; and display the positional information with respect to the weather radar system on a weather image on a vertical situation display.

Abstract: A system for displaying vertical weather information on an aviation display aboard an aircraft, the aircraft including an aircraft radar system for scanning a target, is provided. The system includes processing electronics configured to receive a target selection from a user input device, to receive an altitude value of an echo top of the target based on radar return data, and to cause the altitude value to be displayed on plan view of weather images on an aviation display in response to the received target selection.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a target value for generating a vertical profile view in an aircraft weather radar system is provided. Processing electronics are configured to receive a target value for generating a vertical profile view of weather detected by the radar system. The processing electronics are also configured to adjust the target value to account for the motion of the aircraft and/or the motion of the detected weather.

Abstract: A radar system includes an antenna. The radar system comprises a processor for providing an error in ground speed estimate based upon Doppler velocity data, and a transmitter. The frequency of radar signals from the transmitter is adjusted according to a velocity of the aircraft calculated using the error in ground speed estimate or using the error in ground speed estimate. The adjusted frequency can allow ground clutter to be removed by high pass filtering in one embodiment.

Abstract: A radar system includes an antenna. The radar system comprises a transmitter coupled to the antenna. The transmitter provides a radar signal. The radar signal includes a first set of pulses having a high bandwidth and a second set of pulses having a lower bandwidth. In one embodiment, the radar system is used for wind shear detection and the antenna is a smaller antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating a predictive windshear transmission status is provided. The method includes determining if the predictive windshear radar system is transmitting. The method also includes providing an indication of the determination to a user interface device. Additional parameters, such as the operational state of the aircraft, may be used to further define when the indication is provided.

Abstract: A weather radar system is capable of mitigating the effects of spurious reflections caused by a reflection lobe. Processing electronics can be used to sense weather and to identify spurious reflections caused by the reflection lobe. The reflection lobe can be caused by antennae or radome characteristics. The weather radar system can include a display that provides visual indicia of the weather with mitigation of the spurious reflections.

Abstract: A device for monitoring distances having an interrogator and a transponder in wireless communication with the interrogator, the transponder having a signaling device that is activated based on the distance between the interrogator and transponders. The interrogator sends an encoded signal to the transponder and determines the distance to the transponder based on the delay of the transponder's response. The interrogator instructs the transponder to activate a signaling device when the distance exceeds a predetermined setting. The present invention is directed towards applications that require one-foot precision and accuracy.