Patent ID: 7671785
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G01S,H01Q,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A radar system having first and second modes of operation, wherein said first mode is a weather detection mode and said second mode is an air surveillance mode, comprising: a. a dual antenna assembly comprising first and second antennas having respective first and second antenna waveguides coupled to a waveguide switch operable to divert RF energy to or from either of said first or second antenna waveguide, said waveguide switch coupled to a common waveguide, said first and second antennas being designed for use in said first and second modes respectively and operable for coupling said RF energy to a transmit medium, and for coupling reflected RF energy from transmit medium to said first or second antenna waveguide; b. azimuth and elevation motors engaged with said dual antenna assembly for rotating said assembly in two planes to position either of said first or second antenna at a desired azimuth and elevation angle; c. respective position indicators for determining azimuth angle and elevation angle of said dual antenna assembly; d. an RF transmitter coupled to said common waveguide for transmitting said RF energy; e. an RF receiver operable to receive reflected RF energy conveyed thereto by said common waveguide coupled thereto by either of said first or second antennas; and f. a control processor configured with control logic operable to control the functions of said radar system and wherein said first and second antennas are mounted generally perpendicularly in the vertical plane with respect to each other and wherein said radar system operates in only one of said modes of operation at any time.