Honeywell International Inc.

Todd R Burlet

James R Hager

Lavell Jordan

David C Vacanti

Timothy J Reilly

Curtis J Petrich

Jens M Henrickson

Seth T Frick

James B Oven

Mark S Shoemaker

Tom A Petricka

Clayton A Yares

Tika M Kude

James B Honeywell International Inc Oven

A method and apparatus are provided to determine a range of a sling load from a vehicle. In one embodiment, an FMCW RADAR altimeter generates an altitude history image that is used to determine the range of the sling load from the vehicle and an altitude of the vehicle.

System and method for tracking a sling load and terrain with a RADAR altimeter

A method and processor for resolving a processing radar return data to determine a mechanical angle to a target relative to a radar array having a right antenna, an ambiguous antenna, and a left antenna. An LA linear relationship determining, based upon a characteristic number of LA wraps relative to the mechanical angle. Likewise, determining a RA linear relationship determines a characteristic number of RA wraps and a RL linear relationship determines a characteristic number of RL wraps relative to the mechanical angle. All permutations of LA wraps, RA wraps, and RL wraps are listed, and for each permutation, a truth relationship is determined. A look up table is populated with permutations where the truth relationship is true.

Method and processor for reduced ambiguity resolution matrix for interferometric angle determination

A method for calibrating an altimeter is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring signal strength of one or more altitude measurements. Based on the signal strength, the method applies piecewise linear altitude correction to the one or more altitude measurements to generate altitude correction data. The method further determines a goodness-of-fit for the altitude correction data. The altitude correction data maintains a correct altitude measurement in the presence of variable signal strength.

Method and system for calibrating radar altimeters

A method for determining a mechanical angle to a radar target utilizing a multiple antenna radar altimeter is described. The method comprises receiving radar return signals at the multiple antennas, populating an ambiguity resolution matrix with the electrical phase angle computations, selecting a mechanical angle from the ambiguity resolution matrix that results in a least amount of variance from the electrical phase angle computations, and using at least one other variance calculation to determine a quality associated with the selected mechanical angle.

Methods and systems for identifying high-quality phase angle measurements in an interferometric radar system

A method for processing radar return data to determine a physical angle, in aircraft body coordinates to a target, is disclosed. The radar return data includes a phase difference between radar return data received at an ambiguous radar channel and a left radar channel, a phase difference between radar return data received at a right radar channel and an ambiguous radar channel, and a phase difference between radar return data received at a right radar channel and a left radar channel. The method includes adjusting a phase bias for the three phase differences, resolving phase ambiguities between the three phase differences to provide a signal, and filtering the signal to provide a physical angle to the target in aircraft body coordinates.

Methods and apparatus for determining an interferometric angle to a target in body coordinates

A phase processor is disclosed which is configured to receive processed radar return data from a left radar channel, a right radar channel, and an ambiguous radar channel. The phase processor comprises a plurality of phase detectors each with an input and a reference input. The phase detectors are configured to determine a phase difference between radar return data received at the input and radar return data received at the reference input.

Methods and apparatus for accurate phase detection

A filter, includes a first order band pass filter configured to process non-zero amplitude gated radar return samples and process a portion of received zero amplitude return samples. The filter also calculates past filter outputs based on filter outputs generated during previous non-zero gated radar return samples.

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Maple Grove, MN, United States of America

Todd R Burlet