XRAM Radar Altimeter

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. XRAM can communicate over 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.

Frequency Range

24/60GHz

Bandwidth

250 MHz

Power Consumption

11W

Operating Voltage

10 – 30 V

Altitude Range

0.7m – 500m

Altitude Precision

2-5cm

Update Rate

50 Hz

Field of View

45° Azimuth 33° Elevation

Operating Temperature Range

-40°C ~ +40°C

Dimensions

65mm x 45mm x 35mm excluding mounting flange

Weight

90g

Communication

UART, CAN, RS232

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 DB-XRAM Radar Altimeter:

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