Systems and methods for improving bearing reception on a TCAS or other surveillance system

• US 9,869,745 B1
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems LLC (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aviation Communications And Surveillance Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Rowlan, Stacey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US14/104,733
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 342 29, 342 32, 342 37, 34235739, 342455, 701301
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/781 Secondary Surveillance Radar [SSR] in general
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

Various avionics systems may be enhanced by methods and systems for bearing reception. For example, a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, or other surveillance system, can be provided with a system or configured for a method of improved bearing reception. For example, a method can include performing traffic alert and collision avoidance surveillance of a target aircraft using an interrogation over a bottom antenna of an own aircraft. The method can also include enhancing determination of a bearing of the surveillance by obtaining a bearing of the target aircraft using an alternative to making a bearing determination based on signal characteristics of a reply to the interrogation.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

performing traffic alert and collision avoidance surveillance of a target aircraft using an interrogation over a bottom antenna of own aircraft; and

enhancing determination of a bearing of the surveillance by obtaining a bearing of the target aircraft using an alternative to making a bearing determination based on signal characteristics of a reply to the interrogation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative comprises determining the bearing from an unsolicited reply from the target aircraft.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the unsolicited reply comprises at least one of a DF-11 squitter, a DF=0/4 FRUIT message, or a DF=17 extended squitter message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative comprises determining the bearing from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data comprises at least one of a global positioning system position or a relative bearing for the target aircraft.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative comprises receiving relative bearing information from the target aircraft.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

calculating a bearing of the target aircraft based on the received relative bearing information.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to;

perform traffic alert and collision avoidance surveillance of a target aircraft using an interrogation over a bottom antenna of own aircraft; and

enhance determination of a bearing of the surveillance by obtaining a bearing of the target aircraft using an alternative to making a bearing determination based on signal characteristics of a reply to the interrogation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the alternative comprises determining the bearing from an unsolicited reply from the target aircraft.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the alternative comprises determining the bearing from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the alternative comprises receiving relative bearing information from the target aircraft.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

calculating a bearing of the target aircraft based on the received relative bearing information.