Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

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.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim