Drone Radar Altimeter - AlteX
A radar altimeter, specifically designed for industrial and agricultural drone applications. Easy integration, coupled with high accuracy and suitability for both fixed wind and rotary VTOL UAVs. Centimetre resolution in any condition, accurate up to 600km/h of horizontal speed, making it ideal of a variety of aircraft. 24/60GHz operation in a compact, weatherproof enclosure. AlteX can communicate TTL, RS-232, RS-485 or CAN. An SDK is also provided for easy integration into any platform.
A radar altimeter, also known as a radio altimeter or simply an altimeter, is a device that uses radio waves to determine the distance between an aircraft and the ground or water below it. Radar altimeters are more accurate than barometric altimeters because they are not affected by changes in air pressure, which can cause errors in the readings. Radar altimeters are also more precise than GPS altimeters because they measure the distance to the ground directly, whereas GPS altimeters determine altitude based on the distance to GPS satellites. Additionally, radar altimeters can operate in any weather conditions, whereas GPS signals may be blocked by buildings or other obstacles. Finally, radar altimeter can be used for terrain following flight, and landing on aircraft carrier where as barometric and GPS altimeter can't be used in such cases. The altimeter works by transmitting a microwave signal to the ground and then measuring the time it takes for the signal to be reflected back to the aircraft. The altimeter then uses the time delay and the speed of light to calculate the distance to the ground.
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The altimeter's antenna transmits a short pulse of radio energy (microwave) towards the ground, and then listens for the echo. The time delay between the transmission of the pulse and the reception of the echo is directly proportional to the distance between the antenna and the ground. The altimeter then uses the speed of light to convert this time delay into a distance.
A radar altimeter is a critical device for an aircraft, providing the pilot with the altitude above the terrain, which is essential for navigation and landing. The radar altimeter can also be used to indicate when an aircraft is approaching the ground too fast or too steeply during takeoff and landing.
It's also common in drones, missiles and other autonomous systems, for navigation and safety during landing, flight and take-off, real time.
Common challenges faced by UAV operators, all of which are overcome by ALTair:
A radar altimeter is a critical device for an aircraft, providing the pilot with the altitude above the terrain, which is essential for navigation and landing. The radar altimeter can also be used to indicate when an aircraft is approaching the ground too fast or too steeply during takeoff and landing.
It's also common in drones, missiles and other autonomous systems, for navigation and safety during landing, flight and take-off, real time.
Common challenges faced by UAV operators, all of which are overcome by ALTair:
- Barometric altimeters are not accurate at low altitudes
- Laser rangefinders don’t work in all weather and over all types or terrain and vegetation
- GPS sensor accuracy is highly dependent on GPS signal strength
Radar vs LiDar:
Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) and lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) are both technologies that use electromagnetic waves to detect and determine the distance to objects. However, there are some key differences between the two:
1. Wavelength: The most significant difference between radar and lidar is the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves they use. Radar uses radio waves, which have a wavelength of a few centimeters to several meters, while lidar uses laser light, which has a wavelength of a few nanometers to a few micrometers.
2. Range: The wavelength of the electromagnetic waves used by radar and lidar affects their range capabilities. Because radio waves are much longer than laser light, radar can detect objects at much greater distances. Lidar typically has a range of several hundred meters, while radar can detect objects at ranges of several kilometers or more.
3. Resolution: Lidar is able to provide higher resolution measurements than radar. Lidar uses the laser light to precisely measure the distance to an object, whereas radar measurement can be affected by factors such as the size and shape of the object.
4. Operation : Lidar systems typically work by emitting a laser beam and then measuring the time it takes for the beam to be reflected back to the sensor. This allows them to build a 3D map of the surrounding environment. On the other hand, radar systems typically transmit a series of pulses and measure the time delay between the transmission of the pulses and the reception of the echoes.
5. Applications: Radar is more commonly used for applications such as navigation, weather forecasting, and military applications because of its long-range detection capability. Lidar is more commonly used in self-driving cars and autonomous vehicle navigation, as well as in research areas like atmospheric science and other scientific applications that require high-resolution measurements.
In summary, both radar and lidar systems have their own advantages and disadvantages and can be used in different situations. Based on the requirement and specific use case, either one of these systems or a combination of these systems can be used to achieve better results.
More on Radar Altimeters
Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) and lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) are both technologies that use electromagnetic waves to detect and determine the distance to objects. However, there are some key differences between the two:
1. Wavelength: The most significant difference between radar and lidar is the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves they use. Radar uses radio waves, which have a wavelength of a few centimeters to several meters, while lidar uses laser light, which has a wavelength of a few nanometers to a few micrometers.
2. Range: The wavelength of the electromagnetic waves used by radar and lidar affects their range capabilities. Because radio waves are much longer than laser light, radar can detect objects at much greater distances. Lidar typically has a range of several hundred meters, while radar can detect objects at ranges of several kilometers or more.
3. Resolution: Lidar is able to provide higher resolution measurements than radar. Lidar uses the laser light to precisely measure the distance to an object, whereas radar measurement can be affected by factors such as the size and shape of the object.
4. Operation : Lidar systems typically work by emitting a laser beam and then measuring the time it takes for the beam to be reflected back to the sensor. This allows them to build a 3D map of the surrounding environment. On the other hand, radar systems typically transmit a series of pulses and measure the time delay between the transmission of the pulses and the reception of the echoes.
5. Applications: Radar is more commonly used for applications such as navigation, weather forecasting, and military applications because of its long-range detection capability. Lidar is more commonly used in self-driving cars and autonomous vehicle navigation, as well as in research areas like atmospheric science and other scientific applications that require high-resolution measurements.
In summary, both radar and lidar systems have their own advantages and disadvantages and can be used in different situations. Based on the requirement and specific use case, either one of these systems or a combination of these systems can be used to achieve better results.
More on Radar Altimeters