NTL Record

Title Monopulse azimuth measurement in the ATC Radar Beacon System
Record ID 36030
Personal Name
Creator
Kulke, Bernhard; Rubinger, Bruce; Haroules, George G.
Source 132p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Publication Date 19711200
Language English
Abstract A review is made of the application of sum-difference beam techniques to the ATC Radar Beacon System. A detailed error analysis is presented for the case of a monopulse azimuth measurement based on the existing beacon antenna with a modified feed network. A comparison of the total expected monopulse error with the azimuth error of the existing ATCRBS indicates that there is little to be gained by a monopulse modification. Without beam sharpening, the single-reply monopulse accuracy is less than that of the existing system. With beam sharpening and/or by using multiple reply information, the azimuth error is estimated to be as little as 1 or 2 Azimuth Change Pulses (ACP's), compared to 3 ACP's measured error for the Common Digitizer. However, the monopulse modification implies a considerable increase in system cost and complexity, and the estimated accuracy has not so far been demonstrated in the field. A monopulse modification for azimuth measurement in ATCRBS therefore is not recommended. In terms of fruit reduction, an advantage is obtainable by utilizing sum-difference techniques for artificial beam sharpening, but other solutions may be preferable.
Rosap ID dot:9059
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9059
TRT Terms Air traffic control radar beacon system; Azimuth
General Subjects ATC Radar Beacon System; Monopulse azimuth measurement; Error analysis; Sum-difference techniques
Classification NTL - AVIATION - AVIATION;
NTL - AVIATION - Air Traffic Control;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness
Geographical
Coverage
United States
OCLC 227679195
Contract Number FA 219
Report Number DOT-TSC-FAA-72-6
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Research Paper
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/36000/36000/36030/DOT-TSC-FAA-72-6.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository