Honeywell International Inc.

Marc M Pos

David C Vacanti

Keone J Holt

Paul Ferguson

Byron F Birkedahl

Robert Jason Tinsley

Bin Sai

Shawn David Rogers

Lawrence Surace

Charan Ebsv

Darren Goshi

Paul David Ferguson

In an embodiment, a radar level gauge system can include an antenna system comprising an imaging phased array in an isolated antenna arrangement that supports monopulse processing for radar image resolution and mapping of a surface of a material. The imaging phased array can provide a narrow-beam with beam scanning/steering and can emit a transmit beam that scans the surface of the material and forms the mapping of the surface. The mapping can comprise a 3D volumetric model that can include an image of a surface profile of the surface based on signals returned from the surface. The imaging phase array and the antenna system are protected from condensation and contamination from chemicals and viscous materials.

Imaging radar level gauge with adaptive beam steering capability operating under harsh conditions

The disclosure describes techniques to scan a radio frequency antenna beam along one or more axes. For example, for a wide transmit beam oriented such that the long axis is in azimuth, this disclosure describes techniques to scan the transmit beam in elevation, in the direction of a short axis of the transmit beam. The radar receive aperture may be synchronized with transmit beam to scan the radar receive aperture using RF beamforming such that the elevation scan of the field of view of the radar receive aperture follows the elevation scan of the transmit beam. The radar receiver circuitry may also down-convert the received radar signals to an intermediate frequency (IF). The radar receiver circuitry may digitally form monopulse receive beams at IF within the processing circuitry of the receiver electronics and digitally scan the monopulse receive beams along the long axis of the field of view.

FMCW radar with elevation scanning

A computer-implemented method of navigating a vertical take-off and landing ('VTOL') vehicle near a landing zone, may comprise receiving data related to a first radar signal reflected from at least one corner reflector; determining whether the received data is consistent with a predefined target landing zone; upon determining that the received data is consistent with the predefined target landing zone, determining a location of the VTOL vehicle relative to the predefined target landing zone, using a second radar signal reflected from at least one corner reflector; and determining whether the location of the VTOL vehicle is consistent with a predefined landing position.

Aircraft landing systems and methods

A radar apparatus with a transmission antenna array that outputs a high aspect ratio frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) transmission beam that illuminates a large field of regard in elevation and may be both electronically and mechanically scanned in azimuth. The weather radar apparatus includes a receive array and receive electronics that may receive the reflected return radar signals and digitally form a plurality of receive beams that may be used to determine characteristics of the area in the field of regard. The receive beams may be used to determine reflectivity of weather systems and provide a coherent weather picture. The weather radar apparatus may simultaneously process the receive signals into monopulse beams that may be used for accurate navigation as well as collision avoidance.

Mechanically assisted phased array for extended scan limits

Techniques for allowing a vehicle equipped with at least one radar to take-off and land using radar return images of a landing site. The at least one radar generates radar return image(s) of the landing site, specifically of reflective symbols attached to the landing site, allowing the vehicle to orient itself to the landing site and providing information specific to the landing site. Position and velocity in relation to a landing site can be determined using at least one radar and a guidance and landing system. Using the position and velocity information, the guidance and landing system can guide the vehicle to and from the landing site and/or determine whether an obstacle requires the use of an alternate landing site.

Systems and methods for landing and takeoff guidance

In some examples, a radar system includes first direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuitry and first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry configured to generate a first sinusoidal signal based on a first DDS signal generated by the first DDS circuitry. In some examples, the radar system further includes transmitter circuitry configured to generate a radar signal based on the first sinusoidal signal. In some examples, the radar system also includes one or more antennas configured to transmit the radar signal and receive a return signal based on the radar signal. In some examples, the radar system includes second DDS circuitry, second PLL circuitry configured to generate a second sinusoidal signal based on a second DDS signal generated by the second DDS circuitry, and receiver circuitry configured to process the return signal based on the second sinusoidal signal.

Synihesizer for radar sensing

Techniques for allowing a vehicle to detect and avoid obstacles comprises at least one radar and a navigation system including a three-dimensional map database. The at least one radar generates radar return image(s) which can be compared by the navigation system to the three-dimensional map to determine a three-dimensional position of the vehicle. Based upon position determination, the navigation system can guide the vehicle to a destination whilst avoiding obstacles. If the vehicle also includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, such techniques are desirable when the GNSS receiver is unable to provide accurate position data, which can occur in urban environments where obstacles are numerous.

Systems and methods for vehicle navigation

In some examples, a system is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, the system including one or more phased-array radar devices configured to transmit first radar signals, receive first returned radar signals, transmit second radar signals, and receive second returned radar signals. In some examples, the system also includes processing circuitry configured to detect an object based on the first returned radar signals and determine an estimated altitude of the vehicle above a ground surface based on the second returned radar signals.

Altimeter with high-resolution radar

In some examples, a radar system includes phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry configured to generate a control voltage signal and processing circuitry configured to generate a reference signal to drive the PLL circuitry to generate the control voltage signal. In some examples, the radar system also includes voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuitry configured to generate radio-frequency (RF) signals based on the control voltage signal and one or more antennas configured to transmit the RF signals and receive returned RF signals. In some examples, the radar system further includes receiver circuitry configured to generate intermediate-frequency (IF) signals based on the returned RF signals, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to detect an object based on the IF signals.

Digital active phased array radar

In some examples, a radar device is configured to detect an object, where the radar device includes transceiver circuitry configured to transmit radar signals having a first polarization type towards the object, receive radar signals having the first polarization type reflected from the object, and receive radar signals having a second polarization type reflected from the object, the second polarization type being different than the first polarization type. The radar device also includes processing circuitry configured to determine a material category of the object based on the radar signals having the first polarization type reflected from the object and the radar signals having the second polarization type reflected from the object.

Determining material category based on the polarization of received signals

Synthesizer for radar sensing

Systems and methods for calibrating and optimizing frequency modulated continuous wave radar altimeters using adjustable self-interference cancellation are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a radar altimeter system comprises: a local oscillator delay line including a variable delay circuit configured to output a delayed signal, a transmitter coupled to the local oscillator delay line and configured to output a transmitter signal, a transceiver circulator coupled to an antenna and coupled to the transmitter, and a frequency mixer coupled to the delay line and coupled to the transceiver circulator. The transceiver circulator directs the transmitter signal to the antenna and the antenna is configured to transmit the transmitter signal and receive a reflected signal from a target. Further, the frequency mixer is configured to receive the delayed signal and the target reflected signal from the transceiver circulator.

Systems and methods for calibration and optimization of frequency modulated continuous wave radar altimeters using adjustable self-interference cancellation

Methods and systems are disclosed for changing between multiple radio frequency (RF) systems. The method comprising transmitting, by a first radio frequency (RF) transmitter of a first RF system, a first RF signal from an antenna, receiving, by a first RF receiver of the first RF system, a second RF signal from the antenna, and receiving, by a second RF receiver of a second RF system, the second RF signal from the antenna, wherein a first RF port of the first RF system and a second RF port of the second RF system are both connected to a common RF port of the antenna, and wherein the first and second RF systems operate with overlapping frequency bands.

Multiple radio frequency (RF) systems using a common radio frequency port without an RF switch

Systems and methods for a variable delay line using variable capacitors in a time delay filter are provided. In at least one embodiment, a delay line is configured to apply an adjustable time delay to an electromagnetic signal travelling through the delay line. The delay line comprises a filter that includes a first variable capacitor. Further, a capacitance of the first variable capacitor is configured to adjust the delay applied to the electromagnetic signal travelling through the delay line when varied.

Growing community of inventors

Duvall, WA, United States of America

Marc M Pos