An electronically steered weather radar system comprises a plurality of transmit/receive modules, a plurality of antenna modules, and a system signal processor. Each transmit/receive module may be configured to adjust a phase characteristic of a radio frequency (RF) signal to be transmitted and received. Antenna modules may be in communication with transmit/receive modules and may form an antenna array configured to transmit a system beam in a direction determined by the phase of the RF signal from each transmit/receive module and to generate the RF signal from the received system beam. The system signal processor may be configured to perform a first scan to detect meteorological formations wherein the system signal processor communicates with each transmit/receive module to adjust a phase characteristic of the RF signals such that the antenna array transmits and receives the system beam through a plurality of azimuth angles and a plurality of elevation angles.

Electronically steered weather radar

Disclosed is a laser radar device having a wide two-dimensional field of view, a large receiving aperture, and responsivity to short pulse light. Specifically disclosed is a laser radar device provided with a laser light source which generates pulse laser light, a scanner which transmits a transmission pulse to a target while two-dimensionally scanning a pencil-shaped transmission beam and outputs scan angle information, a reception lens which receives reception light that has arrived, a long light-receiving element array which converts the reception light to reception signals and outputs the reception signals, a transimpedance amplifier array which amplifies the reception signals, an adder circuit which adds the reception signals from respective elements of the transimpedance amplifier array, a distance detection circuit which measures the light round-trip time to the target of an output signal from the adder circuit, and a signal processing unit which obtains the distances to multiple points on the target on the basis of the light round-trip time and the light speed by causing the scanner to perform a two-dimensional scan operation while associating the two-dimensional scan operation with the scan angle information to thereby measure the three-dimensional shape of the target.

Laser radar device

The systems and methods are provided to provide communication coverage to an unmanned aerial vehicle. A proposed flight path of a UAV may be collected, and a communication signal distribution, such as a cellular signal distribution, along the proposed flight of the UAV may be determined. At positions having low or no communication signal, relays may be provided to improve a quality of the communication signal. The relay may be a ground device or an aerial vehicle. A stable and continuous communication between the UAV and user terminals during the entire flight path of UAV may be provided, and a coverage of cellular signal may be expanded.

Method, apparatus and system of providing communication coverage to an unmanned aerial vehicle

A method of using a directional sensor for the purposes of detecting the presence of a vehicle or an object within a zone of interest on a roadway or in a parking space. The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a microwave transmit pulse of less than 5 feet; radiating the transmitted pulse by a directional antenna system; receiving received pulses by an adjustable receive window; integrating or combining signals from multiple received pulses; amplifying and filtering the integrated receive signal; digitizing the combined signal; comparing the digitized signal to at least one preset or dynamically computed threshold values to determine the presence or absence of an object in the field of view of the sensor; and providing at least one pulse generator with rise and fall times of less than 3 ns each and capable of generating pulses less than 10 ns in duration.

Directional speed and distance sensor

A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.

System and method for turbulence detection

A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine potential weather hazard for an aircraft in a terminal area. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the potential in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna. The data can include a mean velocity parameter or a spectral width parameter or reflectivity.

Aircraft hazard detection and alerting in terminal areas

An aircraft hazard warning system configured to provide an indication of a hazard level to an electronic display includes an input configured to receive first input data and second input data. The first input data includes at least one of lightning detection data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and temperature data. The second input data includes at least one of aircraft speed data and wing loading data. The system further includes processing electronics configured to determine a hazard level of the aircraft based on the first input data. The processing electronics updates at least one characteristic of the hazard level based on the second input data. The processing electronics provides an indication of the hazard level and updated characteristic to the electronic display. For example, the characteristic can be a color of indicators representing the first input data and can be modified based on the second input data.

Weather radar system and method

A weather radar system can be utilized on-board an aircraft. The weather radar system includes processing electronics for sensing weather. The processing electronics is configured to utilize sensed weather data to generate a vertical weather prediction for a given altitude in response to a range and an azimuth. The system can also include a display. The display provides visual indicia of the vertical weather prediction in response to the processing electronics.

System and method for generating weather radar information

A method of detecting a windshear hazard on aircraft is disclosed. The method includes determining a first wind velocity of the aircraft at the location of the aircraft using a wind velocity detector. The method also includes determining a second wind velocity at a distance ahead of the aircraft using a forward-looking wind velocity detection system onboard the aircraft. Further, the method comprises determining the wind velocity gradient over the distance and determining whether windshear hazard exists for the aircraft.

Jeffery A. Finley

Papers

Aircraft hazard detection and alerting in terminal areas

System and method for turbulence detection

Weather radar system and method

System and method for generating weather radar information

Predictive and reactive windshear detection system and method