Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting specialized meteorological conditions, in particular a microburst. The detector is localized so as to process radar return signals from regions in which aircraft are particularly vulnerable to microbursts. The detector includes a Doppler radar and an intelligent processor. Doppler radar returns are stored in an array wherein the contents of each cell identify the wind velocity parallel to propagation path. A pattern matching process identifies the existence of a microburst, maximum wind velocity associated with the microburst, and the location of the center. By tracking the microburst center as a function of time, the microburst velocity and direction can be determined, allowing prediction for microburst location in the future. Based on observed microburst lifetimes, the expected duration of the microburst can also be predicted. Although the apparatus of the invention can be configured as a stand alone or dedicated unit, it can also be configured as an add-on to an existing ASDE-3.

Other References

• Doviak et al, Doppler Weather Radar, Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 67, No. 11, Nov. 1979, pp. 1522-1553
• Lee et al, Gust Front Wind Shear and Turbulence-Cuncurrent Aircraft and Surface Based Observations, 7th Conference on Aerospace, Aeronautical, Meteorological Symposium on Remote Sensing from Satellites, Melbourne, Fl., 1976
• Extracts-"The Impact of Weather on Aviation Safety", Report of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, U.S. House of Representatives, Nov. 1984 (pp. 8-11)
• Chadwick et al, "Measurements Showing the Feasibility for Radar Detection of Hazardous Wind Shear at Airports", DTIC Technical Report No. AFGL-TR-78-0160, Jun. 1978
• Offi, "Wake Vortex Detection with Pulsed-Doppler Radar ASR-8 Feasibility Tests", FAA Technical Center Letter Report, Feb. 1982
• Campbell et al, "Low Elevation Angle Wind Measurements by FM-CW Radar", NOAA/ERL/Wave Propagation Laboratory, Boulder, Colo., pp. 722-726
• Extracts-Skolnik, Introduction to Radar Systems, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1962 (pp. 579-585)
• "Wind Shear Microbursts Focus on Weather Study", Aviation Week & Space Technology, Jun. 14, 1982, pp. 41 & 43
• "Wind-Alert System OKd for 34 Airports"; Daily News, Oct. 12, 1979
• "Heavy Rain Danger Called Greater Than Wind Shear", Aviation Week & Space Technology, Jan. 26, 1981, pp. 50-51
• "NTSB Hearing on 727 Crash Expected to Focus on Weather", Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aug. 2, 1982, pp. 32
• North, "Weather Conditions Draw Focus in Pan Am Crash", Aviation Week & Space Technology, Jul. 19, 1982, pp. 19 & 33
• "The Wind-Shear Factor", Newsweek, Jul. 26, 1982, p. 25
• Bedard, Jr. et al, "The Dulles Airport Pressure Jump Detector Array for Gust Front Detection", Bulletin American Meteorological Society, vol. 58, No. 9, Sep. 1977, pp. 920-926
• Hardesty et al, "The Dulles Airport Acoustic-Microwave Radar Wind and Wind Shear Measuring System", Bulletin American Meteorological Society, vol. 58, No. 9, Sep. 1977, pp. 910-918
• Wilson et al, "Operational Application of Meteorological Doppler Radar", Bulletin American Meteorological Society, vol. 61, No. 10, Oct. 1980, pp. 1154-1168
• Fujita et al, "An Analysis of Three Weather-Related Aircraft Accidents", Bulletin American Meteorological Society, vol. 58, No. 11, Nov. 1977, pp. 1164-1181
• Sanderson, "Understanding Aeolus", Cruising World, Aug. 1982, pp. 32-35