Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for storing weather radar return data in a three-dimensional buffer.SOLUTION: A system (30) located on an aircraft includes a radar system (40) that transmits a radar signal and generates a radar measurement as a result of radar return of the transmitted radar signal. A three-dimensional buffer (43) includes a plurality of storage locations. A processor (42) generates or updates a reflectivity value in storage locations in the three-dimensional buffer based on the generated radar measurement, a previously stored reflectivity value for the storage location, and uncertainty parameters. The uncertainty parameters of normalized radar cross section for ground elements are initialized based on a type of ground associated with each of the elements. The uncertainty parameters for weather reflectivity are initialized based on priori information. The generated reflectivity values are stored in the three-dimensional buffer according to the storage locations.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for improving display quality of distance weather data of smaller radar weather systems.SOLUTION: A processor receives a column of quantized reflectivity data associated with an antenna from a weather radar system. The processor adjusts the column of quantized reflectivity data based on estimated quantized reflectivity data associated with a beam pattern for an antenna that is larger than the antenna associated with the received column of quantized reflectivity data. The present invention makes use of a notional "desired antenna" to relax constraints. This enables algorithm to converge quicker to an optimal solution, while reducing memory requirements. The present invention also makes use of a smooth perturbative function matched to desired antenna response. This provides an optimally smooth output, helps the algorithm converge quicker, reduces memory requirements, and addresses quantization without smearing the output.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weather radar system for improving output of potential lightning and hail weather conditions. SOLUTION: An exemplary system includes a processor that receives and stores the weather radar reflectivity values into a three-dimensional buffer, receives an outside air temperature value, and determines freezing level based on the received outside air temperature value. The processor generates lightning icons when a reflectivity value stored at cells of the three-dimensional buffer above determined freezing level is greater than a first threshold amount. Also, the processor adds 1.6 km to the determined freezing level and generates hail icons when a reflectivity value stored at cells at the determined freezing level plus 1.6 km is greater than a second threshold amount. The display device displays the hail and lightning icons when an altitude value that corresponds to the cells associated with the generated lightning icons has been selected for display. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT