Patent GB-1169653-A (GB)
Title: Radio Altimeter System
IPC: G01S13/34
Filed: 1967-12-07
Abstract: 1,169,653. Radar altimeters ; transistor pulse circuits. COLLINS RADIO CO. 7 Dec., 1967 [1 June, 1967], No. 55674/67. Headings H3T and H4D. In a F.M.C.W. radar altimeter a multivibrator is triggered by variable-frequency pulses, the multivibrator mark/space ratio being kept at a predetermined value by comparing a voltage derived from the multivibrator with a reference voltage, the result of the comparison being fed back to the multivibrator. The altitudeindicative difference frequency F R  is applied as a square wave to a differentiator 29, Fig. 3, to give a waveform A 0 , Fig. 4, actuating monostable multivibrator 30 one output from which is extended via a differentiator 31 to a counter 27 feeding into the altitude indicator and another output from which is fed via a low-pass filter 32 to be compared, 33, with a D.C. reference voltage 34, the comparator output controlling the " dead time," see B 0 , Fig. 4, of the multivibrator output. Another output from the multivibrator is fed to a monitoring circuit 36 which activates a flag alarm 37 and which provides an additional occasional correction voltage to comparator 33; the monitoring circuit includes a bi-stable circuit 38, the toggle terminal T of which is fed with waveform A 0 , Fig. 4, and the re-set terminal R of which is connected to the output of monostable multivibrator 30 of Fig. 3, a switch 40 and a differentiator 41 feeding into comparator 33 of Fig. 3. Detailed circuit arrangement, Fig. 6.-The above schematic circuit arrangements are described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. The monostable multivibrator circuit develops a waveform such as B 0 , Fig. 4, at the junction of diode 74 and the collector of transistor 48 which is passed via a low-pass filter to transistor 56 of the comparator the other transistor 58 of which has its base connected to an adjustable D.C. reference voltage. The monostable multivibrator " active " time (and hence the " dead " time) is controlled by the output on line 35 to the emitter of transistor 51. The monostable multivibrator cannot be re-triggered during the " dead time " and if the latter is x per cent it acts as a filter with a cut-off frequency of 100F R/x : for example with x = 60 as in Fig. 4, A 1  the input pulse rate is F R  + 2F R  but the effective circuit output is at rate F R , Fig. 4, C 1 , and similarly for an input rate F R +1À67F R . The effects of double or multiple bounce reflections on the altimeter are reduced. The percentage " dead time " to be used is determined by minimum altitude since the ratio F1 R /F R , where F<SP>1</SP> R  is the rate of spurious difference frequencies, decreases as altitude decreases ; but such percentage must be less than 100 otherwise F R  would be counted down. If due to terrain dip the input rate F R , Fig. 7, A 0  is doubled, Fig. 7, A 1 , every other A 1  pulse falls within the multivibrator dead time, Fig. 7, B 0  and the counter trigger pulses, Fig. 7, C 0  are at half the correct frequency: monitor circuit 36-having a reaction delay of about half a second since double and multiple bounce are generally of shorter duration-compares input waveform A 1  with the output of the monostable multivibrator and if it detects a count-down condition for more than half a second flag alarm 37 is actuated and a corrective voltage is fed to comparator 37 to momentarily shorten the dead time of the monostable multivibrator as depicted in Fig. 7, B 1  to effect a change from waveform B 0  to waveform B 2  and hence a correct counter trigger rate C 2 . Circuit 36 is also stated to detect a circuit fault.