Patent ID: 6421010
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method for determining wind profile information, comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of sondes, each comprising a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal modulated according to a predetermined pattern that (1) allows signals received from different ones of said sondes to be differentiated from one another and (2) allows precise measurement of the difference in path length between the sonde and three or more antennas spaced from one another at one or more receiving locations; releasing said sondes into the atmosphere, for movement with the wind; operating said sondes to transmit said signals; receiving said signals at said three or more antennas; demodulating the signals transmitted thereby at one or more receiving locations to separate the atmospheric data from the modulation pattern; analyzing the modulation pattern to determine the difference in path length between each sonde and the three or more antennas; employing said difference in path length to determine an angle of arrival (AOA) of said signal at said receiving location; determining the location of each said sonde as a function of said AOA, and tracking the positions of said sondes over time to determine the wind profile.