Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Nathanael A Meyer

Daniel L Woodell

Roy E Robertson

Richard D Jinkins

Richard Marcel Rademaker

Gregory J Koenigs

Charles J Dickerson

Venkata A Sishtla

Mark C Fersdahl

Edward A St John

Steven Sperling

Derek G White

Luis R Granadillo

A weather radar module includes a memory, a vertical weather display, and a processor. The vertical weather display is configured to display weather in a vertical format. The processor is configured to control a radar antenna of the aircraft to perform a sweep in the horizontal direction and receive horizontal sweep radar returns, determine first weather parameters of a weather model in the vertical format based on the horizontal sweep radar returns, and store the first weather parameters in the memory. The processor is further configured to provide an estimate of the weather in the vertical format based on fusing vertical weather data, which is based on the vertical sweep radar returns, with the first weather parameters in the memory or with vertical display data based on the first weather parameters, and cause the vertical weather display to display the estimate of the weather in the vertical format.

Fusion of horizontal and vertical sweeps for weather detection

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to providing weather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft are provided. A method comprises transmitting scan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display device. The display device is configured to display an indication that the weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data.

System and method for providing weather radar status

A method is provided for controlling an aircraft-mounted radar system configured to project radar beams and to receive radar returns relating to the projected radar beams. The method includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to sweep the radar beam horizontally to create a horizontal sweep set. The method further includes providing at least one output to the radar system that causes the radar system to conduct two vertical sweeps during the horizontal sweep set, the two vertical sweeps offset from a center horizontal location by at least one beam width, and wherein each of the two vertical sweeps are on opposite sides of the center horizontal location.

Systems and methods for terrain and obstacle detection by weather radar

An aircraft weather radar system includes an input for receiving data associated with weather radar returns received by an antenna. The aircraft weather radar system further includes processing electronics for performing a routine to analyze radar returns associated with terrain. The processing electronics are configured to determine atmospheric refraction characteristics based on a range and/or an angle to terrain. The routine is based on the determination of atmospheric refraction characteristics.

System and method for using a radar to estimate and compensate for atmospheric refraction

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

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.

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Coralville, IA, United States of America

Nathanael A Meyer