Patent ID: 6204805
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method for determining a first distance and a second distance from an aircraft, wherein the first distance represents distance from the aircraft to a first target and the second distance represents distance from the aircraft to a second target, comprising in combination:transmitting a pulse signal from the aircraft at a send time, wherein the pulse signal propagates at a first speed;receiving a return signal at the aircraft, wherein the return signal includes a first return and a second return, wherein the first return is received at a first return time and includes a first leading edge corresponding to the pulse signal hitting the first target, and wherein the second return is received at a second return time and includes a second leading edge corresponding to the pulse signal hitting the second target;determining the first distance by subtracting the first return time from the send time and multiplying by the first speed; anddetermining the second distance by subtracting the second return time from the send time and multiplying by the first speed.