Title:
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HIGH PRECISION ALTITUDE MEASUREMENT OVER HOSTILE TERRAIN
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002010680
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A system and method for providing highly accurate measurements of the altitude above ground level (AGL) of an aircraft (10) flying over local terrain (12). A current AGL altitude of the aircraft over local terrain is obtained by activating a radar altimeter (16) on the aircraft for a single short duration or pulse. A mean sea level (MSL) elevation of the local terrain is determined by identifying the terrain from the then-current aircraft geographical position coordinates and utilizing known terrain topography data. The actual MSL altitude of the aircraft can then be determined. An uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft is then determined from conventional static air pressure measurements and the difference between the actual MSL altitude and the uncorrected MSL altitude of the aircraft yields a local barometric correction factor for use in determining MSL altitude measurements of the aircraft as the aircraft flies over and continues its flight away from the local terrain.
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Inventors:
HEDRICK GEOFFREY S M
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/041422
Publication Date:
August 15, 2002
Filing Date:
July 27, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT (US)
International Classes:
G01C5/00; G01S13/88; (IPC1-7): G01S13/10
Foreign References:
| US6094607A | 2000-07-25 | |||
| US6219594B1 | 2001-04-17 | |||
| US6205400B1 | 2001-03-20 | |||
| US6055477A | 2000-04-25 | |||
| US6018698A | 2000-01-25 | |||
| US5952961A | 1999-09-14 | |||
| US5590044A | 1996-12-31 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1317677A4
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