Method and apparatus for estimating terrain elevation using a null response
First Claim
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1. A method of sensing elevation of terrain using an airborne weather radar, the method comprising:
- sweeping a radar beam to cut through a horizontal plane with the airborne weather radar;
receiving radar returns in response to the swept radar beam and providing the radar returns to a processor;
using the processor to separate a first portion of the radar returns from a second portion of the radar returns;
adjusting the second portion to provide an adjusted second portion;
summing the first portion with the adjusted second portion to obtain a null response; and
analyzing changes in the null response as the radar beam is swept to cut through the horizontal plane to sense elevation of the terrain.
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Abstract
A weather radar system coupled to a weather radar antenna, including a receive circuit for receiving radar returns received by the antenna and a processor for summing portions of the radar return data to obtain a null response. The null response is utilized to determine presence of terrain.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of sensing elevation of terrain using an airborne weather radar, the method comprising:
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sweeping a radar beam to cut through a horizontal plane with the airborne weather radar; receiving radar returns in response to the swept radar beam and providing the radar returns to a processor; using the processor to separate a first portion of the radar returns from a second portion of the radar returns; adjusting the second portion to provide an adjusted second portion; summing the first portion with the adjusted second portion to obtain a null response; and analyzing changes in the null response as the radar beam is swept to cut through the horizontal plane to sense elevation of the terrain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A weather radar system coupled to a weather radar antenna, the weather radar system comprising:
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a receive circuit for receiving radar returns received by the weather radar antenna and providing radar return data; and a processor coupled to the receive circuit and receiving the radar return data, the processor summing portions of the radar return data to obtain a null response, wherein the null response is utilized to determine presence of terrain. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for calculating terrain height, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving weather radar return data associated with a weather radar scan; means for separating a first portion of the weather radar return data from a second portion of the weather radar return data; means for providing a null response in response to the first portion and the second portion; and means for analyzing the null response to calculate the terrain height. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification