US4922254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Topographic mapping
Assignee: Dornier System GmbH
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Filing: 1988-04-11
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-04-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for topographically mapping the surface of the Earth under utilization of measuring the altitude by means of radar, and under further utilization of a synthetic aperture for the radar, as well as an electronically controlled antenna lobe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is suggested to conically pivot the antenna lobe around a nadir, whereby pivoting of the center line follows a path such that the line constitutes the geneatrix of a cone.
Inventors
- 👤 Harald Schuessler
- 👤 Oswald Bender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/89; G01S13/90; G01S13/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Method for topographic mapping at least portions of the surface of the earth under utilization of altitude measurement by means of radar having a synthetic aperture using an electronically controlled antenna lobe, comprising the steps of: pivoting the antenna lobe in a conical pattern around the nadir by means of orthogonal phase control; maintaining the total transit time of a radar pulse for search and echo path constant; and determining the average altitude within a resolution cell, established by and through the center of gravity of the echo power profile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Method for topographic mapping at least portions of the surface of the earth under utilization of altitude measurement by means of radar having a synthetic aperture using an electronically controlled antenna lobe, comprising the steps of: pivoting the antenna lobe in a conical pattern around the nadir by means of orthogonal phase control; maintaining the total transit time of a radar pulse for search and echo path constant; and determining the average altitude within a resolution cell, established by and through the center of gravity of the echo power profile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method as in claim 1, and including the step of mapping in strips of equal width, whereby within the strip further resolution in resolution cells obtains through particular dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as in claim 2, said resolution being determined in a direction of flight through using the doppler effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as in claim 2, the resolution transverse to the direction of flight is obtained through the antenna lobe and its aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as in claim 1, including scanning through electronic lobe pivoting by means of a phase-controlled group transmission.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as in claim 1, and including two separate lobes for receiving and transmitting, there being alternating switch-over between them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as in claim 1, said received echo signals being demixed, scanned, and digitalized for further processing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |