Abstract: Methods and systems of determining the altitude of an aircraft are provided. The method includes receiving data associated with aircraft position, a position of a first point and a second point on the runway, and an altitude of the first point and the second point, radar returns from the runway. The method includes determining a first range and second range between the aircraft, and the first point and the second point. The method includes determining a first angle and a second angle between the first point and second point, and the aircraft. The method includes determining a corrected angle. The method includes determining the altitude of the aircraft based on the corrected angle, the runway altitude of at least one of the first point and the second point, and at least one of the first range and the second range.

Abstract: A weather radar system is coupled to a weather radar antenna. The weather radar system includes a processor for combining or summing portions of the radar return data to obtain a null. The processor associates the null with the ground (e.g., steers the null toward ground or processes data so that the null corresponds to ground) to obtain a null to alleviate ground clutter when sensing weather. The null can be a single null or multiple nulls associated with different ranges.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a weather radar system having a radar antenna, the apparatus for mounting to an aircraft and for verifying terrain features shown on an electronic display, the terrain features based on terrain data from a terrain database. The apparatus includes processing electronics configured to receive radar return data from the weather radar system and configured to correlate the radar return data with the terrain data. The processing electronics using the correlation to provide an indication as to whether the terrain features displayed on the electronic display are correct or incorrect.

Abstract: A multiple beam receiving system provides an angle estimate to targets. The system tracks movements of the targets over time and generates calibration information. The system uses the calibration information to more accurately estimate angle-to-target. The multiple beam receiving system can be part of a monopulse or other radar system, a traffic collision avoidance system, or other electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: A position determining voting system that uses Doppler information from an on-board weather radar to improve the system's accuracy and/or fault tolerance includes a comparison function and an error integration function. The comparison function is used to monitor the independent position sources for correct operation, comparing and identifying a position source that should not be used based on its relative error compared with the other position sources and their characteristics. The integration function provides corrections to relative position sources by integrating the data from multiple absolute position sources when they are mutually consistent.

Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a turbulence hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to providing weather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft are provided. A method comprises transmitting scan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display device. The display device is configured to display an indication that the weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to an aircraft system for detecting wires. The system includes a processor configured to actively sense a presence of a first object and a second object. The processor determines a location of the first object and the second object. The processor determines a potential location of a wire between the first object and the second object. The processor actively senses the wire by providing electromagnetic energy to the potential location.

Abstract: A method of determining an angle within the beam to a target using an airborne radar includes receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further includes receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of an antenna, wherein the first portion is not identical to the second portion. The method further includes determining the angle within the beam to the target using the first and second data.

Abstract: A system and methods for generating alerts in a terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) in an aircraft, using data acquired from a forward-looking radar The system comprises a forward-looking imaging device, an airport database, a navigation system, a forward-looking terrain alert (“FLTA”) processor, and a crew alerting system. The FLTA processor determines a measured clearance altitude of a highest cell within an area and compares it with a required minimum clearance altitude; if the measured altitude is equal or less than the required altitude, the crew is alerted. Alternatively, a terrain database may be used. with the FLTA processor for determining if the aircraft descends below the minimum operating altitude or is predicted to do so and then generating an alert. A method is disclosed for generating TAWS alerts using elevation angle measured by the forward-looking radar and terrain data retrieved from a terrain database.

Abstract: Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an altitude system for an aircraft. The aircraft radar system includes a processor configured to determine an altitude of the aircraft using runway position information, and an angle to the runway associated with a radar beam to the runway. The angle to the runway is being determined using a pointing angle of the antenna adjusted with an angular offset. The angular offset is determined from phase processing.

Abstract: A weather radar system improves electronics for receiving radar returns. The weather radar system determines an altitude above ground level using return data derived from the weather radar returns. The weather radar system can utilize movement data related to movement of the aircraft to calculate the altitude. In addition, the weather radar system can utilize previous calculations of the altitude to determine the current altitude underneath the aircraft. The weather radar system can reduce the need for a radio altimeter.

Abstract: A system and method relates to a weather detection system using millimeter wave radar data. Processing electronics receives millimeter wave radar (MMWR) data and senses a presence of weather spatial extent using return strength data associated with the MMWR data. The processing electronics uses spectral width data associated with the MMWR data to assign a level to the weather in the spatial extent.

Abstract: A system includes an aircraft radar system configured to perform at least one radar scan of a specific region and receives airborne radar return data from the at least one radar scan. The aircraft radar system transmits the airborne radar return data to a weather system via a wireless communication link for supplementing the ground based radar return data with the airborne radar return data.

Abstract: A method of determining an angle within the beam to a target using an airborne radar includes receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further includes receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of an antenna, wherein the first portion is not identical to the second portion. The method further includes determining the angle within the beam to the target using the first and second data.

Abstract: A two panel radar system is disclosed. The radar system may include a pair of AESA panels respectively positioned on either side of a central axis, wherein a pointing direction of the first AESA panel is offset by a predetermined angle in a clockwise direction with respect to the central axis and a pointing direction of the second AESA panel is offset by the predetermined angle in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the central axis. A controller may be configured for selectively activating at least one of: the first AESA panel for providing a first coverage area in a first direction offset from the central axis, the second AESA panel for providing a second coverage area in a second direction offset from the central axis, or the pair of AESA panels jointly for providing a third coverage area between the first coverage area and the second coverage area.

Abstract: An aperture of an antenna for a radar system comprises a first waveguide comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the first waveguide. The aperture further comprises a second waveguide comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the second waveguide. The first and third protrusions and second and fourth protrusions adjoin to form a radio frequency choke at least partially suppressing cross polarization of radio frequencies between the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: A radar system has an antenna. The system includes electronics configured to facilitate communication using radar returns received and transmitted by the antenna. The electronics is configured to extract communications data from a received radar return. The electronics is further configured to provide communications data with an outgoing radar pulse for data transmission.

Abstract: A method of detecting weather on an aircraft uses a weather radar system. The method adapts the weather radar system in accordance with a time-of-year parameter, a time-of-day parameter, and/or a location parameter to remove ground clutter reflectivity. The method includes determining the particular parameter and automatically adjusting the weather radar system to display the weather in response to the parameter. The system can be implemented in hardware and/or software and can advantageously predict and identify weather and/or weather hazards more precisely.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an aircraft-mounted radar system configured to project radar beams and to receive radar returns relating to the projected radar beams. The method includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to sweep the radar beam horizontally to create a horizontal sweep set. The method further includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to conduct two vertical sweeps during the horizontal sweep set, the two vertical sweeps offset from a center horizontal location by at least one beam width, and wherein each of the two vertical sweeps are on opposite sides of the center horizontal location.