Collision alerting and avoidance system

Patent 7443334 Issued on October 28, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 10, 2027. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

TCAS bearing estimation receiver using a 4 element antenna
Patent #: 4855748
Issued on: 08/08/1989
Inventor: Brandao , et al.

Collision avoidance system for use in aircraft
Patent #: 6211808
Issued on: 04/03/2001
Inventor: Rees

Midair collision and avoidance system (MCAS)
Patent #: 6278396
Issued on: 08/21/2001
Inventor: Tran

Satellite based collision avoidance system Patent #: 6314366
Issued on: 11/06/2001
Inventor: Farmakis, et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 11900336 filed on 09/10/2007

US Classes:

342/29, AIRCRAFT COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (CAS)342/36, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL342/57, With radio voice communication342/58, With transmission to a remote station342/175, WITH PARTICULAR CIRCUIT701/301, Collision avoidance340/961Potential collision with other aircraft , 342/ 29, 342/ 40

Examiners

Primary: Sotomayor, John B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Tobin, Carberry, O'Malley, Riley, Selinger, P.C.

Foreign Patent References

2006124063 WO 11/01/2006

International Class

G01S 13/93

Abstract

A collision alerting and avoidance system for use in an aerial vehicle is presented herein. The system comprises a one low profile antenna array disposed on the aerial vehicle. A transmitter/receiver probe is coupled to the antenna array. The transmitter/receiver probe is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves and to receive an echo signal reflected from a threat obstacle. At least one transmitter/receiver module is coupled to the transmitter/receiver probe. The transmitter/receiver module is configured to produce electromagnetic waves for transmission and to receive the echo signal. A processor coupled to the plurality of transmitter/receiver modules controls the transmission of electromagnetic waves from the antenna array and processes the echo signal to provide an output signal containing information regarding the obstacle.