SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELF-CALIBRATING A RADAR ALTIMETER

• US 20070139261A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Vacanti, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,705,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/882 for altimeters measuring height using barometric means G01C5/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/35 Details of non-pulse systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4056 specially adapted to FMCW

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing self calibration of a radar altimeter. An example system includes a first component that generates a simulated return signal based on one or more range values. A transmitter generates a transmission radar signal and a receiver processes the simulated return signal based on the transmission radar signal. A second component determines one or more calibration factors based on the processed simulated return signal and ideal return signal characteristics. The transmission radar signal is a fixed frequency signal and the first component includes a programmable frequency divider that creates at least on sideband of a known signal. A third component determines if the radar system is in at least one of a calibration mode or normal mode of operation. If the radar system is determined to be in a normal mode of operation, a fourth component applies the determined calibration factors to actual radar return signals.

Claims

1. A method for determining calibration factors for a radar system, the method comprising:

a) generating a simulated return signal based on one or more range values;

b) generating a transmission radar signal; and

c) determining one or more calibration factors based on the simulated return signal, the transmission radar signal, and ideal return signal characteristics.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission radar signal is a fixed frequency signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein generating the simulated return signal includes programmably frequency dividing a known signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the simulated return signal includes modulating the transmission radar signal based on the divided known signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more calibration factors include at least one amplitude calibration factor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if the radar system is in at least one of a calibration mode or normal mode of operation; and

performing a)-c) if the radar system is determined to be in the calibration mode of operation.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising apply the determined calibration factors to actual radar return signals, if the radar system is determined to be in a normal mode of operation.

8. A radar system for performing self calibration, the system comprising:

a first component configured to generate a simulated return signal based on one or more range values;

a transmitter configured to generate a transmission radar signal;

a receiver configured to process the simulated return signal based on the transmission radar signal; and

a second component configured to determine one or more calibration factors based on the processed simulated return signal and ideal return signal characteristics.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the transmission radar signal is a fixed frequency signal.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first component includes a programmable frequency divider configured to create at least one sideband of a known signal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first component is further configured to modulate the transmission radar signal based on the divided known signal.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more calibration factors include at least one amplitude calibration factor.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a third component configured to determine if the radar system is in at least one of a calibration mode or normal mode of operation.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a fourth component configured to apply the determined calibration factors to actual radar return signals, if the radar system is determined to be in a normal mode of operation.