Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Charles J Dickerson

Roy E Robertson

Daniel L Woodell

Gregory J Koenigs

Jeffery A Finley

Hubert C Dyche

Richard D Jinkins

Richard Marcel Rademaker

Nathanael A Meyer

Terrence P Wey

Steve Paramore

Bryan L Jurgensen

Bo S Hagen

Jeffrey A Finley

A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.

Aviation display depiction of weather threats

A method of adjusting a position of an antenna to reduce a position error comprises receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further comprises receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of the antenna, wherein the first portion is different than, intersects with, or includes the second portion. The method further comprises determining the angle to the terrain using the first and second data, whereby the angle is used to adjust or compensate for the position error of the antenna.

Radar antenna stabilization enhancement using vertical beam switching

An aircraft weather radar system can be used with a terrain avoidance system. The aircraft weather radar system is coupled to an antenna. A processor receives radar returns received by the antenna. The processor determines terrain elevation estimates for use with the terrain avoidance system from the radar returns. The terrain elevation estimates are compared to stored terrain elevation data used with the terrain avoidance system to verify position or to check the integrity of the stored elevation data. The processor can be part of a terrain avoidance system, a weather radar system, a navigation system, or can be a standalone system.

System and method for a terrain database and/or position validation

An aircraft weather radar system can be used with a terrain avoidance system to provide a terrain database. The weather radar system includes a processor and/or other electronics coupled to an antenna. The processor determines terrain data based on weather radar returns received from the antenna. The processor can utilize a variety of techniques for determining terrain data or estimates.

Terrain avoidance system and method using weather radar for terrain database generation

The present invention is a method for providing hazard alerting for an aircraft via an airborne weather radar system. The method includes performing multiple weather radar scans at various tilt angles via the system and receiving radar returns via a receiver. The returns are stored in a memory of the system and merged with ground clutter suppression algorithms for eliminating ground returns from the stored returns and for creating a weather image based on remaining returns included in the stored returns. The image is provided via a weather radar display of the system, and includes an alert icon and an alert message when a hazard is present within an area proximal to the aircraft and is at or above a severity level threshold. The alert icon and alert message collectively indicate a type, severity level and location of the hazard in azimuth relative to a heading of the aircraft.

System and method for providing enhanced weather hazard alerting for aircraft

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.

Variable loop gain and resolution pulse system and method with point target editing capability

A weather radar detects and removes spurious aircraft from a weather radar display by using one of the methods of differentiating radar return length, estimating a vertical gradient of reflectivity, tracking radar returns into regions that are eliminated from the weather display to provide differentiation, tracking areas of radar returns that allow detection and removal of the spurious aircraft in relative geometries, differentiating Doppler velocity, and differentiating spectral width. The methods may be used individually or in combination to improve performance.

Removal of spurious aircraft detections on weather radar

A weather radar system is coupled to antenna. 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.

A weather radar system or method can be utilized to adjust a position of a weather radar system. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna control system. The processing electronics can determine an error associated with the position of the weather radar antenna and adjust the position of the weather radar antenna in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data related to expected returns.

Antenna adjustment system and method for an aircraft weather radar system

A method of displaying areas of turbulent weather is disclosed. Data is processed representative of weather conditions within a predefined area. Weather conditions are displayed on a display. Turbulence is detected within the predefined area. A level of the detected turbulence is detected. First graphical elements are superimposed upon the display of weather conditions when the level of the detected turbulence is less than a predetermined amount. A second graphical element is displayed upon the display of weather conditions when the level of the detected turbulence is more than the predetermined amount.

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Alburnett, IA, United States of America

Charles J Dickerson