Method and apparatus for accomplishing extended range TCAS
First Claim
1. A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System for an aircraft, said system comprising:
- a) a TCAS computer unit; and
,b) an antenna in communication with said computer unit, said antenna characterized by an elevation radiation pattern having a peak which substantially aligns with said aircraft'"'"'s level line of flight.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System(TCAS) antenna is mounted on a selected forward portion of an aircraft thereby extending the effective forward range of the TCAS. The antenna and ground plane are tilted relative to conventional TCAS antennas thereby aligning a peak of the antenna'"'"'s radiation pattern along the aircraft'"'"'s level line of flight. The resulting increased gain directed forward of the aircraft increases the forward range of the TCAS for both receiving and transmitting TCAS signals. The invention is also useful to extend the range of other aircraft systems including transponders. Alternate embodiments include tilting a conventional TCAS antenna mounted on a middle portion of the aircraft.
68 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System for an aircraft, said system comprising:
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a) a TCAS computer unit; and
,b) an antenna in communication with said computer unit, said antenna characterized by an elevation radiation pattern having a peak which substantially aligns with said aircraft'"'"'s level line of flight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An extended range TCAS for aircraft, said TCAS comprising:
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a) TCAS computer means for interpreting received TCAS signals; and
,b) ERTCAS antenna means, in communication with said computer means, for receiving TCAS signals, said TCAS antenna means having a peak gain directed substantially in front of said aircraft and aligned along said aircraft'"'"'s level line of flight. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of extending the range of a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System(TCAS) of an aircraft, said TCAS including a transmitter, said method comprising:
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a) providing an antenna, said antenna in communication with said transmitter; and
,b) mounting said antenna on said aircraft such that a peak gain of said antenna is directed in a desired elevation and azimuth relative to said aircraft such that the range of said TCAS is extended in the desired elevation and azimuth. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An extended range transponder system for an aircraft, said transponder system comprising:
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a) transponder means for receiving and processing transponder signals; b) antenna means, in communication with said transponder means, for receiving said transponder signals and communication said transponder signals to said transponder means, said antenna means having a peak gain substantially aligned along said aircraft'"'"'s level line of flight. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification