A tracking device is configured to estimate a track for at least one possible target and is configured to receive incoming measurements and to process measurements and tracks. The tracking device includes a storage and a computational device. The tracking device is also configured to divide all measurements into a set of considered measurements and a set of unconsidered measurements for each passive track.

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 method for optimizing the elevational pointing of an antenna of an airborne radar system at an altitude h includes an antenna and processing and calculation means, the method comprising: a. selecting an area of interest b. calculating atmospheric losses L.sub.ref at a reference altitude h.sub.ref at the reference range D.sub.ref and calculating a reference criterion K.sub.ref=−40 log.sub.10 (D.sub.ref); c. for each possible elevational pointing distance of the antenna D.sub.pt from the area of interest, calculating the antenna elevation S that makes it possible to target the distance D.sub.pt via the centre of the antenna; d. for each distance D from the region of interest, calculating the angle θ at which the antenna observes the point of the ground at the distance D and calculating a criterion; 1. K(D)=G.sub.e(θ)+G.sub.r(θ)−40 log.sub.10 D+L.sub.ref(h.sub.ref,D.sub.ref)−L.sub.atmo(h,D) 2. where G.sub.e(θ),G.sub.r(θ) are respectively the gains of the antenna that are normalized at emission and at reception; e. calculating all of the distances D that, for this pointing distance D.sub.pt, satisfy the relationship K(D)>K.sub.ref so as to obtain the start and the end of the sub-swath actually able to be used by the radar system; and calculating the actually usable sub-swaths that are to be juxtaposed (A, B, C) in order to cover the whole of the area of interest without discontinuities.

A ground-based radar system for weather sensing and aircraft tracking includes a ground-based radar that is configured to scan a volume of space associated with a particular aircraft for detecting a weather event in the volume of space, and an electronic control system that is configured to control the ground-based radar. The control system is adapted to track the particular aircraft via tracking data associated with the particular aircraft, and is adapted to detect the weather event via weather data associated with signals from the ground-based radar. The control system is configured to control the ground-based radar to adjust the scan of the volume of space in response to at least the tracking data associated with the particular aircraft being tracked. A geographically diverse radar network that includes multiple ground-based radar systems that communicate with each other also is provided.

A method for confusing the electronic signature of a signal transmitted by a radar, includes the generation by the radar of at least one pulse, wherein the method comprises a step of modulation, in the pulse, of the polarization of the transmitted signal, according to two orthogonal or opposite polarizations, the modulation of the polarization being performed according to a predetermined modulation code.

An imaging method using a doppler radar wherein the pointing direction in transmission (d.sub.ei) is modified from recurrence to recurrence; each detection block of duration T comprises a periodic repetition of a number C of pointing cycles, each of these cycles comprising a number P of recurrences, the set of these P recurrences covering the D.sub.e pointing directions (d.sub.ei) of the set; the order of the pointings is modified in a pseudo-random manner from pointing cycle to pointing cycle during a same detection block so as to create an irregular time interval between two pointings in a same direction; at least one beam is formed in reception on each recurrence in a direction included in the transmission-focused angular domain in the pointing direction corresponding to the recurrence.

A Doppler radar apparatus including a transmitting device, a receiving device and a narrowband interference suppression device is provided. The transmitting device is configured to transmit a first wireless signal. The receiving device is coupled to the transmitting device and is configured to receive a second wireless signal to generate a first digital signal. The first digital signal includes a Doppler signal component and a narrowband interference signal component, and a bandwidth of the narrowband interference signal component is smaller than a bandwidth of the Doppler signal component. The narrowband interference suppression device is coupled to the receiving device and is configured to perform interference suppression on the first digital signal according to the first wireless signal to suppress the narrowband interference signal component in the first digital signal to generate an output digital signal.

A method of collecting data using a polarimetric phased array antenna is described. The method includes directing electromagnetic signals to selected panels of an array of panels so as to transmit a dual H and V polarized electromagnetic beam (1) having the same beam width in all azimuth directions and (2) maintaining cross-polarization isolation via orthogonal dual-polarizations in all beam pointing directions. The panels include antennas having a horizontally (H) polarized array element and a vertically (V) polarized array element arranged to form two orthogonally polarized horizontal and vertical radiating fields which together form the dual H and V polarized electromagnetic beam. The array of panels is arranged so as to form a substantially cylindrical configuration on a support system. Reflection signals sensed by the selected panels formed by scattering of said dual H and V polarized electromagnetic beam are received and have a reflection frequency spectrum.

A system and method for a multi-panel multi-function active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operation receives radar commands from individual aircraft systems and segments a plurality of AESA panels fixed (at variable azimuth/elevation about the aircraft) into a plurality of subarrays to carry out each individual function commanded by the individual aircraft system. Dependent on aircraft status and phase of flight, the and individual AESA are designated for use and the subarrays are sized based on desired radar function at the specific phase of flight and specific threat associated with the phase. The system dynamically shifts the designated AESA, subarray size, beam characteristics, power settings, and function to enable multiple simultaneous function of the suite of AESA panels.

A system and method for a multi-beam multi-function active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operation receives radar commands from individual aircraft systems and segments a single AESA fixed panel into a plurality of subarrays to carry out each individual function commanded by the individual aircraft system. Dependent on aircraft status and phase of flight, the subarrays are sized based on desired radar function at the specific phase of flight and specific threat associated with the phase. The system dynamically shifts the subarray size, beam characteristics, power settings, and function to enable multiple function of a cost effective single AESA panel.