Patent ID: 6201494
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G01S,Y02A

Abstract:
An automatic storm finding weather radar comprising:an antenna having a beamwidth for transmitting radar signals and receiving radar signals reflected from a storm;a receiver/transmitter connected to the antenna for generating radar signals and receiving radar signals reflected from a storm from the antenna;a signal processor connected to the receiver/transmitter for processing the received radar signals reflected from the storm into weather data indicating the storm;a display connected to the signal processor for displaying the storm;an antenna controller for controlling tilt and scan of the antenna; anda computer for controlling the automatic storm finding weather radar wherein the computer further comprises an automatic storm finding algorithm for locating storms by determining temperatures and altitudes that produce the storms, determining an altitude search layer over the temperatures and altitudes that produce the storms and driving the antenna controller to adjust the antenna tilt and scan to locate the storms in the search layer at a desired range from the aircraft;wherein the computer automatic storm finding algorithm determines an approximate 0.degree. C. isotherm altitude;wherein the computer automatic storm finding algorithm estimates altitudes of approximate -25.degree. C. and approximate +10.degree. C. temperatures based on the approximate 0.degree. C. isotherm altitude to determine an altitude search layer;wherein the computer automatic storm finding algorithm determines antenna upper and lower tilt angles from aircraft altitude, the altitude search layer, and the desired range; andwherein the computer automatic storm finding algorithm determines from the upper and lower tilt angles and the antenna beamwidth a number sweeps the antenna must make to scan an area to locate the storms in the altitude search layer.