Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a height at which a target flies over a reflective surface. The apparatus includes means for emitting a signal, and means for receiving signals, including the emitted signal after it has been echoed by the target. The apparatus also includes a height estimator configured to estimate the height by utilizing a direct signal coming directly from the target after the emitted signal has been echoed by the target, an indirect signal coming indirectly from the target after the emitted signal has been echoed by the target and has been reflected by the surface, and reflection parameters including at least one of an amplitude of a reflection coefficient of the surface and a phase difference between the direct signal and the indirect signal. The height estimator comprises a particle filter configured to dynamically estimate the reflection parameters.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for estimating the height at which a target flies over a reflective surface. The method comprises a step of emitting a signal and a step of receiving signals, including the emitted signal after it has been echoed by the target. The method also comprises a step of filtering the received signals. The method also comprises a step of modeling a direct signal, coming directly from the target after the emitted signal has been echoed by the target, and of modeling an indirect signal, coming indirectly from the target after the emitted signal has been echoed by the target and has been reflected by the surface, based on reflection parameters including the amplitude of the reflection coefficient of the surface and/or the phase difference between the direct signal and the indirect signal. The step of filtering estimates dynamically the reflection parameters by use of a particle filter or a Gaussian-Sum filter.