Flight test evaluation of a 35 GHz forward looking altimeter for terrain avoidance

Author

Becker, Robert C. ; Almsted, Larry D.

Author_Institution

Technol. Center, Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA

Volume

10

Issue

2

fYear

1995

fDate

2/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

19

Lastpage

22

Abstract

Honeywell has conducted a series of flight tests of a 35 GHz digital microprocessor controlled forward looking radar altimeter. A Bell 206L Jet Ranger helicopter was used to evaluate the capability of the sensor as a detector of various types of terrain collision hazards. The sensor was composed of a covert, spread spectrum radar altimeter processor driving a 35 GHz converter and antenna assembly mounted on a steerable platform. Excellent correlation between predicted performance and observed performance was obtained

Keywords

aircraft control; computerised control; data acquisition; helicopters; microwave detectors; military avionics; position control; radar altimetry; radioaltimeters; safety systems; spread spectrum radar; 35 GHz; Bell 206L Jet Ranger helicopter; Honeywell; antenna assembly; collision hazard avoidance; correlation; data acquisition; digital microprocessor; flight test evaluation; forward looking altimeter; forward looking radar altimeter; observed performance; predicted performance; spread spectrum radar altimeter processor; steerable platform; terrain avoidance; terrain collision hazards; Assembly; Detectors; Digital control; Hazards; Helicopters; Microprocessors; Radar antennas; Radar detection; Spread spectrum radar; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/62.350732

Filename

350732