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.

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: An aircraft hazard warning system configured to provide an indication of a hazard level to an electronic display includes an input configured to receive first input data and second input data. The first input data includes at least one of lightning detection data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and temperature data. The second input data includes at least one of aircraft speed data and wing loading data. The system further includes processing electronics configured to determine a hazard level of the aircraft based on the first input data. The processing electronics updates at least one characteristic of the hazard level based on the second input data. The processing electronics provides an indication of the hazard level and updated characteristic to the electronic display. For example, the characteristic can be a color of indicators representing the first input data and can be modified based on the second input data.

Abstract: A radar system includes an antenna and has short range detection capability. The radar system includes a receiver coupled to the antenna for receiving a receive signal associated with a pulse compressed transmission signal and a matched filter configured to accumulate at least a portion of the receive signal for a particular range. The portion of the receive signal is associated with a corresponding portion of the pulse compressed transmission signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting weather on an aircraft uses a weather radar system. The method includes determining a location of a reflective radar target, accessing a database having stored information relating to ground clutter of a reflective radar target, retrieving weather radar information associated with the location, and automatically adjusting the weather radar return threshold in response to the information. The method can adjust a threshold for a weather radar display, adjust a weather radar signal gain, adjust a tilt angle of the weather radar, or adjust a ground clutter suppression threshold. The method can be implemented by hardware and/or software.

Abstract: An incursion detection system can be utilized with an aircraft. The incursion detection system can be utilized to determine a possible presence of obstacles associated with a runway, taxi-way, or other path of an aircraft. The incursion detection system preferably utilizes a sensor, such as a radar system, and a signal received on a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver can be part of an ADS-B system. A processing device determines a presence of at least one obstacle in a path based upon first data derived from the wireless receiver and/or second data received from the sensor.

Abstract: A weather radar system can be utilized on-board an aircraft. The weather radar system includes processing electronics for sensing weather. The processing electronics is configured to utilize sensed weather data to generate a vertical weather prediction for a given altitude in response to a range and an azimuth. The system can also include a display. The display provides visual indicia of the vertical weather prediction in response to the processing electronics.

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: An airborne weather radar system is coupled to a display on an aircraft and a radar antenna attached to the aircraft. The airborne weather radar system includes a processing system for receiving weather radar returns from the radar antenna. The radar returns resulting from radar signals are transmitted from the radar antenna. The processing system is configured to compress radar data representing graphical images actually provided on the display on the aircraft. The graphical images are provided in response to the weather radar returns. The radar data is compressed to provide compressed data. The compressed data has reduced spatial resolution when compared to the radar data, wherein the processing system is disposed on the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of identifying a runway is disclosed. A first scan of an area of ground known to include a runway is performed. The first scan is accomplished using a weather radar system at a predetermined position. A first image is obtained from the first scan. The first image is stored in a memory. A second scan of an area of ground proposed to include the runway is performed. The second scan is accomplished using a weather radar system at what is believed to be the predetermined position. A second image is obtained from the second scan. The first image is retrieved from the memory. It is determined whether features in the first image correlate to features in the second image. A runway confirmation signal is sent to a pilot of the aircraft when there is a substantial certainty of correlation between the first and second images.

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 method of compressing data in a weather radar system utilizes a compression system. Weather radar data associated with graphical images provided on a weather radar display is compressed for downloads or downlinks from the airplane or storage on the airplane. The weather radar data can be compressed from any part of the process. In one embodiment, spatial resolution of the data is decreased while data resolution is increased.

Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine potential weather hazard for an aircraft in a terminal area. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the potential in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna. The data can include a mean velocity parameter or a spectral width parameter or reflectivity.