Systems and methods for generating data in a digital radio altimeter and detecting transient radio altitude information

• US 8,604,970 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2010
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Trinkaus, Trevor R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barker, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US12/794,214
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 342120-122
• US Class Current: 342/120
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/08 Systems for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/882 for altimeters measuring height using barometric means G01C5/06

Abstract

Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for generating data in a digital radio altimeter system and detecting transient radio altitude (“RA”) information are disclosed. Preliminary RA data is generated by a preliminary spectrum analyzer by analyzing spectrum data (e.g., frequency spectrum data) within a first range, where the spectrum data is representative of RA information. Final RA data is generated by a final spectrum analyzer by analyzing the spectrum data within a second range, where the second range is based upon the preliminary RA data and final RA data previously-generated and fed through a feedback data generator. The final RA data may be provided as source data to one or more user units. One user unit may be a transient RA detector which detects transient RA information based upon the preliminary RA data and the final RA data.

Claims

1. A system for detecting transient radio altitude information in a radio altimeter system, such system comprising:

a source of first radio altitude data;

a source of second radio altitude data;

a source of third radio altitude data; and

a processor comprised of

a transient radio altitude detector configured to

receive first radio altitude data,

receive second radio altitude data, where

the first radio altitude data and the second radio altitude data are derived from third radio altitude data, and

detect transient radio altitude information as a function of the first radio altitude data and the second radio altitude data, where

the transient radio altitude is a measurement other than a measurement of height above the surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the source of first radio altitude data is a first spectrum analyzer,

the source of second radio altitude data is a second spectrum analyzer, or both.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein

the processor is further comprised of

the first spectrum analyzer,

the second spectrum analyzer, or

both.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the function is comprised of

at least one distance constraint test,

a statistical analysis, or

at least one distance constraint test and a statistical analysis.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein

the processor is configured to

prevent the subsequent use of radio altitude information represented in the first radio altitude data when transient radio altitude information is being detected.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein

the processor is configured to

enable the subsequent use of radio altitude information represented in the second radio altitude data when transient radio altitude information is being detected.

7. A method for detecting transient radio altitude information in a radio altimeter system, such method comprising:

receiving first radio altitude data generated by a first spectrum analyzer;

receiving second radio altitude data generated by a second spectrum analyzer, where the first radio altitude data and the second radio altitude data are derived from third radio altitude data; and

detecting transient radio altitude information as a function of the first radio altitude data and second radio altitude data, where

the transient radio altitude is a measurement other than a measurement of height above the surface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein

the function is comprised of

at least one distance constraint test,

a statistical analysis, or

at least one distance constraint test and a statistical analysis.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

preventing the subsequent use of radio altitude information represented in the first radio altitude data when transient radio altitude information is being detected.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

enabling the subsequent use of radio altitude information represented in the second radio altitude data when transient radio altitude information is being detected.