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Report on DABS/ATCRBS Field Testing Program

Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-31

Summary

The purpose of this field test program was to verify laboratory measurements of the effect of DABS uplink signal formats on ATCRBS transponders. The DABS interrogations tested were: (i) a combined ATCRBS Mode A/DABS All-Call consisting of a standard Mode A interragation with an additional pulse following the P(3) pulse; (ii) a DABS uplink message transmission consisting of a P(1)-P(2) pulse pair followed by 25 microseconds of 4 megabit per second DPSK data modulation. The timing aspects of these waveforms were selected on the basis of a previous series of laboratory bench tests made in a small cross-section of the ATCRBS transponder population. The results of these field measurements performed on a larger cross-section of field operational ATCRBS transponders agree with the results of the bench testing program: The recommended DABS uplink transmissions result in an effective combined ATCRBS/DABS All-Call mode and minimum triggering of ATCRBS transponders by DABS message transmissions.
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Summary

The purpose of this field test program was to verify laboratory measurements of the effect of DABS uplink signal formats on ATCRBS transponders. The DABS interrogations tested were: (i) a combined ATCRBS Mode A/DABS All-Call consisting of a standard Mode A interragation with an additional pulse following the P(3) pulse...

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Technical Assessment of Satellites for CONUS Air Traffic Control, Executive Summary

Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-26

Summary

A number of satellite system techniques have been suggested as candidates to provide ATC surveillance, communication, and/or navigation service over CONUS. All techniques perform postion determination by multilateration using a constellation of satellites. They can be categorized as follows: 1) Coordinated Aircraft-to-Satellite Techniques (CAST), 2) Random Access Aircraft-to-Satellite Techniques (RAST), and 3) Satellite-to-Aircraft Techniques (SAT). A technical assessment is made of the various techniques with no one particular technique emerging as superior; several feasible alternatives are identified. The assessment indicates that satellite bases techniques for CONUS ATC can be developed without relying on high risk technology. This volume summarizes the results of a technical assessment of all three techniques. The detailed assessment is presented in companion volumes. The assessment has shown that workable systems could be configured using any one of the three techniques without reliance on high risk technology. No one technique has emerged as superior. Rather several viable alternatives have been identified. All techniques appear to require more costly avionics than today's ground-based system.
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Summary

A number of satellite system techniques have been suggested as candidates to provide ATC surveillance, communication, and/or navigation service over CONUS. All techniques perform postion determination by multilateration using a constellation of satellites. They can be categorized as follows: 1) Coordinated Aircraft-to-Satellite Techniques (CAST), 2) Random Access Aircraft-to-Satellite Techniques (RAST)...

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Surveillance aspects of the Advanced Air Traffic Management System

Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-10

Summary

Three topics with impact on the performance of Air-to Satellite-to-Ground Systems for Air Traffic Control Surveillance are addressed in detail: 1) vulnerability to intentional jamming; 2) performance degradation due to the multiple access noise which results from uncoordinated aircraft transmissions, and 3) tracking techniques for improved surveillance accuracy and reduced short-term outages.
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Summary

Three topics with impact on the performance of Air-to Satellite-to-Ground Systems for Air Traffic Control Surveillance are addressed in detail: 1) vulnerability to intentional jamming; 2) performance degradation due to the multiple access noise which results from uncoordinated aircraft transmissions, and 3) tracking techniques for improved surveillance accuracy and reduced...

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Final Report: Transponder Test Program

Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-9

Summary

Performance parameters of transponders installed in aircraft were measured to determine their degree of compliance with current specifications. A mobile van was outfitted with electronic test equipment which simulated the transmitter and receiver sections of a ground interrogator and which allowed measurement of transponder parameters. A horn antenna located near the aircraft under test was used to couple signals to and from the transponder. The results of measuremetns on 504 transponders installed in general aviation aircraft, 17 transponders installed in military aircraft, and 28 transponders installed in air carrier aircraft are reported. Of these, 31 general aviation, 2 military, and one air carrier transponders were inoperative. The results of measurements of reply frequency, squitter, delay, Mode C operation, dead time, P2/P1 ratio required for suppression, suppression time, framing pulse spacing, power output and sensitivity are included.
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Summary

Performance parameters of transponders installed in aircraft were measured to determine their degree of compliance with current specifications. A mobile van was outfitted with electronic test equipment which simulated the transmitter and receiver sections of a ground interrogator and which allowed measurement of transponder parameters. A horn antenna located near...

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Technical development plan for a discrete address beacon system, vol. II [draft]

Author:
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-4-II

Summary

The Technical Development Plan for a Discrete Address Beacon System is published in two volumes. Volume I is the basic plan, while this volume (Volume II) contains a more detailed description of the 46 tasks recommended for accomplishment during Phase 1 of the development cycle. It also includes cost estimates for each task.
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Summary

The Technical Development Plan for a Discrete Address Beacon System is published in two volumes. Volume I is the basic plan, while this volume (Volume II) contains a more detailed description of the 46 tasks recommended for accomplishment during Phase 1 of the development cycle. It also includes cost estimates...

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Technical development plan for a discrete address beacon system, vol. I [draft]

Author:
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-4-I

Summary

The requirement for a Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS) was highlighted by the Department of Transportation Air Traffic Control Advisory Committee to provide improved surveillance and ground-air communications in support of air traffic control automation. This document presents a technical development plan for such a system; this plan was developed in close colaboration with FAA personnel in the Office of System Engineering Management and the Systems Research and Development Service. The DABS Technical Development Plan identifies the critical issues and technical options, presents a program for their resolution, followed by the development and test of a feasibility model of the system, and suggests a management structure to coordinate and carry out the many tasks involved in the implementation of the plan.
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Summary

The requirement for a Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS) was highlighted by the Department of Transportation Air Traffic Control Advisory Committee to provide improved surveillance and ground-air communications in support of air traffic control automation. This document presents a technical development plan for such a system; this plan was developed...

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