Patent ID: 6856273
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: G01F,G01S,G01W,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A system for measuring atmospheric conditions, comprising: a first radio frequency antenna, operable to transmit at least a first transmitted radio frequency signal and to receive at least a first reflected radio frequency signal with respect to a first volume; a radio frequency signal generator interconnected to said first radio frequency antenna and operable to generate said at least a first transmitted radio frequency signal, said at least a first transmitted radio frequency signal having a first frequency and a first wavelength, wherein said first wavelength is no more than about 4 cm; at least a first acoustic transducer, operable to generate at least a first audio signal pulse within a range of frequencies over a volume that at least partially intersects said first volume, said range of frequencies including a second frequency such that said first audio signal pulse has a second wavelength that is about equal to one-half said first wavelength, wherein said at least a first audio signal pulse reflects said at least a first transmitted radio frequency signal as said at least a first reflected radio frequency signal; and a processor, in operative communication with said signal generator and acoustic transducer, wherein at least a first parameter related to said at least a first reflected radio frequency signal received by said first radio frequency antenna and provided to said processor is used to calculate an atmospheric condition.