ESA based altimeter

1. A multi-mode sensor system comprising:

an electronically scanned array antenna; and

at least one processor in data communication with the electronically scanned array antenna and a memory storing processor executable code for configuring the at least one processor to:

scan a region below an aircraft along a first axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a first return signal;

scan the region below the aircraft along a second axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a second return signal;

identify an altitude of a highest point in the region with reference to the first return signal and the second return signal;

scan a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point, along the first axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a third return signal;

scan a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point,

receive a fourth return signal; and

refine a measurement of the highest point in the region with reference to the third return signal and the fourth return signal.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronically scanned array antenna is configured to operate in an X-band.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is from a tail of the aircraft to a nose of the aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

continuously scan along the first axis and second axis, and continuously receive corresponding first return signals and second return signals; and

integrate the continuously received first return signals and second return signals over time.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured as a pulse radar by sequentially configuring the electronically scanned array antenna to transmit then receive.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify a location of the highest point based on a scan angle when the highest point is identified in each of the first return signal and second return signal.

7. A method for determining an altitude of an aircraft comprising:

scanning a region below the aircraft along a first axis with an electronically scanned array antenna;

receiving a first return signal;

scanning the region below the aircraft along a second axis with an electronically scanned array antenna;

receiving a second return signal;

identifying a highest point in the region with reference to the first return signal and the second return signal;

scanning a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point, along the first axis with the electronically scanned array antenna;

receiving a third return signal;

scanning a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point, along the first axis with the electronically scanned array antenna;

receiving a fourth return signal; and

refining a measurement of the highest point in the region with reference to the third return signal and the fourth return signal.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electronically scanned array antenna is configured to operate in an X-band.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

continuously scanning along the first axis and second axis, and continuously receiving corresponding first return signals and second return signals; and

integrating the continuously received first return signals and second return signals over time.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising producing an altitude map based on the integrated first return signals and second return signals.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

sequentially configuring the electronically scanned array antenna to transmit before scanning; and

configuring the electronically scanned array antenna to receive before receiving return signals.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising identifying a location of the highest point based on a scan angle when the highest point is identified in each of the first return signal and second return signal.

13. A mobile platform comprising:

an electronically scanned array antenna; and

at least one processor in data communication with the electronically scanned array antenna and a memory storing processor executable code for configuring the at least one processor to:

scan a region below an aircraft along a first axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a first return signal;

scan the region below the aircraft along a second axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a second return signal;

identify an altitude of a highest point in the region with reference to the first return signal and the second return signal;

scan a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point, along the first axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a third return signal;

scan a subregion of the region, the subregion including the highest point, along the first axis via the electronically scanned array antenna;

receive a fourth return signal; and

refine a measurement of the highest point in the region with reference to the third return signal and the fourth return signal.

14. The mobile platform of claim 13 , wherein the first axis is from a tail of the aircraft to a nose of the aircraft.

15. The mobile platform of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

continuously scan along the first axis and second axis, and continuously receive corresponding first return signals and second return signals; and

integrate the continuously received first return signals and second return signals over time.

16. The mobile platform of claim 13 , wherein the system is configured as a pulse radar by sequentially configuring the electronically scanned array antenna to transmit then receive.

17. The mobile platform of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify a location of the highest point based on a scan angle when the highest point is identified in each of the first return signal and second return signal.