Abstract: A system and method of displaying an indication of a hazard associated on an aircraft display in an avionics system provides first radar pulses at a first pulse repetition frequency or having a first compression signature or carrier frequency. The system and method also provides second radar pulses at a second pulse repetition frequency higher than the first pulse repetition frequency or having a second compression signature or carrier frequency. The system and method receive radar returns associated with the first radar pulses and the second radar pulses and provide a turbulence assessment in response to the radar returns.

Abstract: A circuit for a display used on an aircraft causes the display to display a composite terrain image. The composite terrain image can be formed from first terrain data from a terrain database and second terrain data from a radar system. A display control circuit can generate a display signal for the composite terrain image. The display signal is received by the display. The composite terrain image can be viewed by a pilot.

Abstract: A weather radar system coupled to a weather radar antenna, including a receive circuit for receiving radar returns received by the antenna and a processor for summing portions of the radar return data to obtain a null response. The null response is utilized to determine presence of terrain.

Abstract: A terrain awareness and warning system includes electronics for receiving radar returns and providing terrain and/or obstacle alerts or warnings in response to the radar returns. The electronics receives information from a database and the information is utilized to suppress false alerts or warnings.

Abstract: A method for determining an adjusted position of a component of an aerial vehicle in response to a situational parameter is provided. The system includes a component mounted on an aerial vehicle, a control system operably coupled to the component, and a processor operably coupled to the control system. The control system adjusts a position of the component based on commands received from the processor. The processor receives positional data and a situational datum relating to the vehicle. The positional data is determined as a function of a situational parameter of the vehicle and is stored in a memory accessible by the processor. The processor determines an adjustment to the position of the component using the situational datum and the positional data and sends the determined adjustment to the control system.

Abstract: A weather radar system coupled to a weather radar antenna, including a receive circuit for receiving radar returns received by the antenna and a processor for summing portions of the radar return data to obtain a null response. The processor adjusts the phase or power of at least one portion of the radar return data using a steering vector or a tuning vector.

Abstract: An aircraft-based terrain display system includes a radar system configured to measure terrain data in proximity to an aircraft. The system further includes a memory coupled to the radar system and configured to store terrain data associated with the terrain data collected from the radar system. A processor is coupled to the memory and configured to use the terrain data stored in memory to generate a terrain image having a perspective view. An aircraft display coupled to the processor is configured to display the terrain image.

Abstract: A method of detecting weather using a weather radar onboard an aircraft. A range is selected at which weather is to be detected. A tilt angle of the weather radar is changed to detect weather below an altitude of the aircraft at a selected range when the selected range includes a maritime environment.

Abstract: An aircraft radar system includes a radar antenna and a processing device. The processing device receives returns from the radar antenna associated with the scan. The processing device uses the returns from the scan for use in both incursion detection and weather phenomenon detection. A method for using the returns from the scan for both incursion detection and weather phenomenon detection is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a windshear hazard on aircraft is disclosed. The method includes determining a first wind velocity of the aircraft at the location of the aircraft using a wind velocity detector. The method also includes determining a second wind velocity at a distance ahead of the aircraft using a forward-looking wind velocity detection system onboard the aircraft. Further, the method comprises determining the wind velocity gradient over the distance and determining whether windshear hazard exists for the aircraft.

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 weather radar system has bright band detection and compensation. The weather radar system determines that high reflectivity in weather is a bright band and reduces an encoded return level from the bright band to compensate for it on a display. The weather radar system detects the presence of the bright band using an inference system that uses outside air temperature, aircraft altitude, and an assumed lapse rate to estimate the bright band location relative to the aircraft and uses antenna elevation to estimate bright band range to reduce the encoded radar return level on the display. The weather radar system may also detect the presence of the bright band using a detection system that uses radar estimates from normal reflectivity scan operation of the system. The weather radar system may also use an active detection process separate from a normal radar sampling process to detect the bright band.

Abstract: A weather radar system is coupled to an antenna. The weather radar system includes a processor for controlling pulses provided to the antenna and for processing return pulses received by the antenna. The processor is configured to vary a range resolution and loop gain relationship based on a data calculation. The weather radar system includes a processor for generating pulses and for processing return pulses received by the antenna. The processor generates high resolution data from the return pulses. The processor uses the high resolution data to perform high resolution radar analysis including removal of point and/or point-like target returns and reassembles the high resolution data to perform high gain radar analysis at lower resolutions.

Abstract: A method of detecting weather on an aircraft uses a weather radar system. The method includes determining a classification of weather and automatically adjusting the weather radar system in response to the classification of the weather. The classification of the weather can relate to weather type and maturity levels.

Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.

Abstract: A weather radar system has bright band detection and compensation. The weather radar system determines that high reflectivity in weather is a bright band and reduces an encoded return level from the bright band to compensate for it on a display. The weather radar system detects the presence of the bright band using an inference system that uses outside air temperature, aircraft altitude, and an assumed lapse rate to estimate the bright band location relative to the aircraft and uses antenna elevation to estimate bright band range to reduce the encoded radar return level on the display. The weather radar system may also detect the presence of the bright band using a detection system that uses radar estimates from normal reflectivity scan operation of the system. The weather radar system may also use an active detection process separate from a normal radar sampling process to detect the bright band.

Abstract: A weather radar system includes processing electronics. The processing electronics sense weather and determine an uncertainty factor. A display can provide visual indicia of the uncertainty factor for weather in response to the processing electronics. The display can be a vertical profile display. The weather radar system can be an avionic weather radar system.

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 seasonal parameter, a time-of-day parameter, or a location parameter. 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 or software and advantageously can more precisely predict and identify weather and/or weather hazards.

Abstract: A method of predicting storm cell characteristics at a future time is provided. A value relating to a characteristic of the storm cell is determined from reflectivity data processed from signals received from a radar scan of the storm cell. A second storm cell is identified that is part of the same weather system as the storm cell. A plurality of values relating to the characteristic for the identified second storm cell is received from a memory wherein the plurality of values were determined at a plurality of different times. The determined value of the storm cell is compared with the determined plurality of values of the identified second storm cell. A growth rate of the storm cell is determined. A maximum height of the storm cell at a third time in the future is calculated based on the comparison and the determined growth rate and presented to a user.

Abstract: A weather radar system includes processing electronics. The processing electronics sense weather and determine significant weather based upon the altitude of the weather. The altitude of the weather can be compared to a flight path to determine its significance. A display can provide visual indicia of the significant weather in response to the processing electronics.