A radar apparatus with a transmission antenna array that outputs a high aspect ratio frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) transmission beam that illuminates a large field of regard in elevation and may be both electronically and mechanically scanned in azimuth. The weather radar apparatus includes a receive array and receive electronics that may receive the reflected return radar signals and digitally form a plurality of receive beams that may be used to determine characteristics of the area in the field of regard. The receive beams may be used to determine reflectivity of weather systems and provide a coherent weather picture. The weather radar apparatus may simultaneously process the receive signals into monopulse beams that may be used for accurate navigation as well as collision avoidance.

A collision avoidance system includes a monopulse radar antenna array of monopulse radar antenna segments mounted to a vehicle with respective fixed fields of view. Each monopulse radar antenna segment comprises a comparator network configured to form a sum signal representing a summation of return signals and a first difference signal representing a first difference of the return signals. The system further includes a user interface configured to present information in a form perceptible to a person operating the vehicle and a radar antenna array controller configured to calculate a range of the object and a first (azimuth) angle of arrival of the return signal from the object. The comparator network is further configured to form a second difference signal which the radar antenna array controller uses to calculate a second (elevation) angle of arrival.

A radar system to detect and track objects in three dimensions. The radar system including antennae, transmit, receive and processing electronics is all in a small, lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The radar system uses a wide azimuth, narrow elevation radar pattern to detect objects and a Wi-Fi radio to communicate to one or more receiving and display units. One application may include mounting the radar system in an existing radome on an aircraft to detect and avoid objects during ground operations. Objects may include other moving aircraft, ground vehicles, buildings or other structures that may be in the area. The system may transmit information to both pilot and ground crew.

A radar system to detect and track objects in three dimensions. The radar system including antennae, transmit, receive and processing electronics is all in a small, lightweight, low-cost, highly integrated package. The radar system uses a wide azimuth, narrow elevation radar pattern to detect objects and a Wi-Fi radio to communicate to one or more receiving and display units. One application may include mounting the radar system in an existing radome on an aircraft to detect and avoid objects during ground operations. Objects may include other moving aircraft, ground vehicles, buildings or other structures that may be in the area. The system may transmit information to both pilot and ground crew.

Methods and apparatus for determining an angle of arrival in a radar warning system that uses tracking to provide a more accurate angle of arrival than conventional systems. In exemplary embodiments, angle of arrival and range are mapped from measured body angles to a 3D coordinate system where modern tracking techniques are applied to improve accuracy and stabilization of measurements, then mapped back into body angles for display.

A monopulse secondary surveillance radar is configured to integrate replies to active interrogations and passive squitter reception into a single surveillance system, and includes: a three-channel antenna arrangement; a redundant ADS-B antenna arrangement including a first and second omnidirectional ADS-B antenna, each having a low noise amplifier, and each being integrated with a GPS antenna; and a pair of redundant four-channel interrogators. The three-channel antenna arrangement is configured to transmit interrogations, and to receive corresponding replies from an aircraft transponder. The first ADS-B antenna is coupled to a first of the pair of redundant four-channel interrogators, and the second ADS-B antenna is coupled to a second of said pair of redundant four-channel interrogators, for the monopulse secondary surveillance radar to provide real-time passive detection of ADS-B-equipped aircraft and active radar detection of aircraft to each of the pair of redundant four-channel interrogators.

A weather radar with a transmission antenna array that outputs a high aspect ratio FMCW transmission beam that illuminates an area in the field of regard in elevation and may be electronically scanned in azimuth. The weather radar includes a receive array and receive electronics that may receive the reflected return radar signals and electronically form a plurality of receive beams that may be used to determine characteristics of the area in the field of regard. The receive beams may be used to determine reflectivity of weather systems and provide a coherent weather picture. The weather radar may simultaneously process the receive signals into monopulse beams that may be used for accurate navigation as well as detection and tracking of objects, such as birds, aircraft, UAVs and the like.

Monopulse radar apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a digital processor and an antenna having a plurality of receive channels through which signals received by the antenna are passed to the processor. Each receive channel includes an analogue to digital converter, and the processor is arranged to calculate sum and difference signals from the signals received through each receive channel. The processor is also arranged such that, in the event that a malfunction is detected in one of the plurality of receive channels, compensated sum and difference signals are calculated by the processor using the signals from the remaining, functioning receive channels.

A collision avoidance system includes a monopulse radar antenna array of monopulse radar antenna segments mounted to a vehicle with respective fixed fields of view. Each monopulse radar antenna segment comprises a comparator network configured to form a sum signal representing a summation of return signals and a first difference signal representing a first difference of the return signals. The system further includes a user interface configured to present information in a form perceptible to a person operating the vehicle and a radar antenna array controller configured to calculate a range of the object and a first (azimuth) angle of arrival of the return signal from the object. The comparator network is further configured to form a second difference signal which the radar antenna array controller uses to calculate a second (elevation) angle of arrival.

A weather radar with a transmission antenna array that outputs a high aspect ratio FMCW transmission beam that illuminates an area in the field of regard in elevation and may be electronically scanned in azimuth. The weather radar includes a receive array and receive electronics that may receive the reflected return radar signals and electronically form a plurality of receive beams that may be used to determine characteristics of the area in the field of regard. The receive beams may be used to determine reflectivity of weather systems and provide a coherent weather picture. The weather radar may simultaneously process the receive signals into monopulse beams that may be used for accurate navigation as well as detection and tracking of objects, such as birds, aircraft, UAVs and the like.