SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING A TCAS PRIMARY RADAR

• US 20120068877A1
• Filed: 12/10/2010
• Published: 03/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems LLC (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems LLC (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stayton, Gregory T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,134,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/933 of aircraft or spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/023 Monitoring or calibrating

Abstract

Systems and related methods are delineated for employing a TCAS to provide a radar function for a UAS. One such system comprises a TCAS having at least a transceiver and an antenna, and a processor coupled to the transceiver for receiving signals generated from receipt of reflected energy received over the antenna, the reflected energy resulting from the one or more of a Mode S interrogation waveform and an ATCRBS interrogation waveform transmitted from the antenna.

Claims

1. A system for use on a UAS, comprising:

a TCAS having at least a transceiver and an antenna; and

a processor coupled to said transceiver for receiving signals generated from receipt of reflected energy received over the antenna, the reflected energy resulting from the one or more of a Mode S interrogation waveform and an ATCRBS interrogation waveform transmitted from the antenna.

2. A method for providing radar for a UAS, comprising:

providing a TCAS having at least a transceiver and an antenna;

transmitting one or more of a Mode S interrogation waveform and an ATCRBS interrogation waveform from the antenna;

receiving signals generated from receipt of reflected energy received over the antenna, the reflected energy resulting from the transmitting of the one or more of the Mode S interrogation waveform and the ATCRBS interrogation waveform;

providing the received signals to a processor; and

determining with the processor one or more spatial aspects of a target from which the energy is reflected.