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Multilateration on Mode S and ATCRBS signals at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport
January 8, 1998
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-260
Summary
The ATC community is seeking a way to obtain aircraft ID and improved surveillance on the airport movement area. Surface radars provide good surveillance data, but do not provide ID, may not cover the whole movement area, and suffer from false reflection targets and performance degradations in rain. This report describes an evolutionary technique employing multilateration, TCAS technology, and existing ATCBI transponders to provide the desired surface surveillance information. Five multilateration receiver/transmitters (RTs) based on TCAS units, and a central multilateration computer processor were procured and installed on the highest available buildings on the perimeter of the north side of Atlanta's Hartsfield airport. The resulting coverage was such that there was a 93% probability that a multilateration position would be computed on a given Mode S short squitter emitted from a a target at a randomly selected position on the movement area. Multilateration was performed on ATCRBS targets using replies elicited by whisper shout methods originally developed for TCAS. Measurements showed that whisper shout was successful in degarbling targets that were in close proximity on the movement area. The probability of obtaining an ATCRBS multilateration position in a given one second interval depended on the number of whisper shout interrogations transmitted. The equipment required over 10 interrogations per target per second to obtain per second multilateration update rates on two typical targets of 58% and 83% respectively. This less than anticipated performance was primarily due to the inefficient whisper shout interrogation technique that was used in the test equipment. This can be corrected in next generation equipment. The multilateration accuracy was about 20 feet one sigma, as anticipated from theoretical considerations and previous experience with other equipment. By combining the multilateration data with ASDE data and tracking the results, it would be possible to obtain track reliabilities on the airport surface similar to that obtained elsewhere in the ATC system but update rates of 1Hz as required for surface surveillance and control purposes. The RTs were also capable of receiving Mode S long squitters containing GPS position information. The probability of at least one of the 5RTs receiving a given long squitter was essentially 100% on the movement area.
Summary
The ATC community is seeking a way to obtain aircraft ID and improved surveillance on the airport movement area. Surface radars provide good surveillance data, but do not provide ID, may not cover the whole movement area, and suffer from false reflection targets and performance degradations in rain. This report...
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Evaluation of Boeing 747-400 performance during ATC-directed breakouts on final approach
January 7, 1998
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-263
Summary
The effects of three different levels of pilot training on the breakout response of pilots and the Boeing 747-400 aircraft were studied. The study examined response during ATC-directed breakouts on final approach and was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 tested performance during manual and autopilot-coupled approaches given current procedures and pilot training. Phase 2 tested the effect of increased pilot situational awareness and proposed ATC breakout phraseology on breakouts during manual and autopilot-coupled approaches. Phase 3 tested the effect of two B747-400-specific breakout procedures on breakouts during autopilot-coupled approaches. Pilot preferences regarding procedures and the tested training materials were also solicited.
Summary
The effects of three different levels of pilot training on the breakout response of pilots and the Boeing 747-400 aircraft were studied. The study examined response during ATC-directed breakouts on final approach and was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 tested performance during manual and autopilot-coupled approaches given current procedures...
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The effects of compression-induced distortion of graphical weather images on pilot perception, acceptance, and performance
November 21, 1997
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-243
Summary
The Graphical Weather Service (GWS) is a data link application that will provide near-real-time graphical weather information to pilots in flight. To assess the effect GWS, as well as to aid in the proper design, implementation and certification of the use of GWS in aircraft, two human factors studies have been conducted. The second study conducted (Phase Two) is the topic of this report. Phase Two was conducted to determine the maximum level of compression-induced distortion that would be acceptable for transmission of weather images to the cockpit. To make this determination the following data were collected and analyzed: pilot subjective ratings of the perceived amount of distortion of a compressed image, pilot subjective ratings of the acceptability of a compressed image for use in the flight task, and pilot route selections as a function of the amount of compression presented in an image. Results indicated that images of low to moderate compression levels were generally acceptable for transmission to the cockpit, while images that were highly compressed were generally unacceptable. In addition, computed measures of image quality have been identified to enable the establishment of a criteria for transmitting images to aircraft.
Summary
The Graphical Weather Service (GWS) is a data link application that will provide near-real-time graphical weather information to pilots in flight. To assess the effect GWS, as well as to aid in the proper design, implementation and certification of the use of GWS in aircraft, two human factors studies have...
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Analysis of downstream impacts of air traffic delay
March 3, 1997
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-257
Summary
Reduction of air carrier flight delay in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) has been a major objective of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for many years. Much of the current delay arises from weather-induced delays at airports. When a plane is delayed on one of the day's flights, there can be a carryover delay that affects later flights by that aircraft. In this report, we develop statistical models to predict: 1. The "downstream" delays that occur when a flight experiences an initial delay, and 2. The likelihood of flight cancellation as a function of the initial delay. Using historical airline-reported delays for December 1993, we conclude that the mean "downstream" delay is approximately 80 percent of the initial delay, i.e., the net delay for an aircraft due to an initial flight delay is approximately 1.8 x the initial delay.
Summary
Reduction of air carrier flight delay in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) has been a major objective of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for many years. Much of the current delay arises from weather-induced delays at airports. When a plane is delayed on one of the day's flights, there...
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Terminal area separation standards: historical development, current standards, and processes for change
January 16, 1997
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-258
Summary
This paper gives an overview and summary of the separation requirements for air traffic control in the U.S. National Airspace System with emphasis on those relevant to terminal landing operations. These requirements are documented in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Air Traffic Control Order 7110.65J, as ammended, and various national and local Orders. These requirements are also addressed in the Aeronautical Information Manual, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Standards and Recommended Practices, and the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). The purpose of this paper is to assist those people involved with the introduction of new technologies and procedures in the terminal airspace by providing them with an understanding of the separation requirements, the need for those requirements, and the processes used to change the requirements.
Summary
This paper gives an overview and summary of the separation requirements for air traffic control in the U.S. National Airspace System with emphasis on those relevant to terminal landing operations. These requirements are documented in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Air Traffic Control Order 7110.65J, as ammended, and various national...
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Feedback from the users of commissioned TDWR systems
November 13, 1996
Conference Paper
Published in:
Workshop on Wind Shear and Wind Shear Alert Systems,. Oklahoma City, 13-15 November, 1996.
Summary
The primary mission of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system is to detect thunderstorm-related wind shears and microbursts that are potentially hazardous to aircraft during landing and takeoff operations (e.g.. within three nautical miles on final approach and within two nautical miles on departure). The sources of these wind shears are microbursts and gust fronts. The mechanism by which these wind shears are provided to Air Traffic Controllers is the Ribbon Display Terminal. A secondary mission of the TDWR system is to support traffic management by the detection of precipitation and detection and forecast of gust-front-induced wind shift. This information is provided to the Air Traffic managers (Supervisors and Traffic Management Coordinators) via the Situation Display. The TDWR Program Office tasked Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory to survey the first five commissioned TDWR sites in order to assess how well the system was meeting its mission goals and to measure user (Air Traffic Controllers and air traffic managers such as Supervisors, Traffic Management Coordinators, etc.) benefits achieved through deployment of the TDWR. A list of candidate questions was prepared (Appendix A). Site visits commenced on 28 November 1995 and ended 25 January 1996. At each site, interviews began with a tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower. Questions regarding airport configuration, number of operations, and weather impact on operations were asked to provide a context for controller and traffic manager interviews. Users who acted in the capacity of controller were asked questions regarding their perceptions (If the accuracy of the Ribbon Display Terminal messages and their views of the impact (if any) on the effectiveness with which they performed their duties. Users who performed the duties of traffic managers (Controllers-in-Charge, Supervisors, Traffic Management Coordinators) were asked questions about the operational benefits of the products on the Situation Display. After the interview process was completed, the benefits estimates claimed for the TDWR system were revisited.
Summary
The primary mission of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system is to detect thunderstorm-related wind shears and microbursts that are potentially hazardous to aircraft during landing and takeoff operations (e.g.. within three nautical miles on final approach and within two nautical miles on departure). The sources of these wind...
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Assessment of the delay aversion benefits of the Airport Surveillence Radar (ASR) Weather Systems Processor (WSP)
July 2, 1996
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-249
Summary
The Weather Systems Processor (WSP) modification to existing Airport Surveillance Radars (ASR-9) significantly enhances the functionality of the radar with respect to hazardous weather detection and tracking. Dedicated alphanumeric and color graphic displays alert controllers to hazardous wind shear conditions on the runways or final approach/initial departure flight corridors, show current location and anticipated movement of thunderstorm cells, and provide short-term forecasts of operationally significant wind shifts. Operational tests of a prototype WSP and related terminal area hazardous weather detection systems (the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) and the Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS)) have shown that, in addition to reducing the risk of aircraft accidents associated with wind shear encounters on landing or takeoff, the information provided by these systems is a significant aid in terminal air traffic management during adverse weather. The resulting efficiency enhancements reduce delay and associated costs. This report assesses the magnitude of the delay aversion benefits that will be realized through national deployment of the WSP. These are quantified both in terms of aircraft delay-hour reductions and corresponding dollar benefits. The analysis indicates that these benefits will total approximately $18M per year given year 2000 expected traffic counts at the 34 planned WSP airports. This exceeds, in equivalent dollar value, the safety benefits realized through WSP deployment by a factor of approximately five.
Summary
The Weather Systems Processor (WSP) modification to existing Airport Surveillance Radars (ASR-9) significantly enhances the functionality of the radar with respect to hazardous weather detection and tracking. Dedicated alphanumeric and color graphic displays alert controllers to hazardous wind shear conditions on the runways or final approach/initial departure flight corridors, show...
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The Marine Stratus Initiative at San Francisco International Airport
June 25, 1996
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-252
Summary
San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and one of the highest delay airports in terms of total aircraft delay hours and number of imposed air traffic delay programs. As with most airports, weather is the primary cause of aircraft delay. In particular, the local airspace is prone to regular occurrences of low cloud ceiling conditions due to intrusion of marine air from the eastern Pacific Ocean from May through September. Typically, this layer of stratus clouds forms in the San Francisco Bay area overnight and dissipates during the middle to late morning. The timing of the stratus cloud dissipation is such that it frequently poses a threat to the morning arrival push of air traffic into San Francisco. Weather forecasters at the Central Weather Service Unit (CWSU) at the Oakland AirRoute Traffic Control Center are responsible for providing a forecast whether or not the cloudiness will impact morning traffic operations. This information is used for decision making by the Traffic Management Unit at Oakland Center in order to optimally match arriving traffic demand to available airport capacity. As part of the FAA's Integrated Terminal Weather System, the Weather Sensing Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory has begun an effort entitled the "Marine Stratus Initiative." Its objective is to provide improved weather information and forecast guidance to the Oakland CWSU, which is responsible for providing weather forecasts to air traffic managers. During 1995, the main focus of the project was the design and implementation of a data acquisition, communication, and display infrastructure that provides forecasters with new sources of weather data and information. These initial capabilities were tested during an operational demonstration in August and September. As the project continues, the intent is to improve these new data sources and develop an automated or semi-automated algorithm that will process raw information to provide weather forecasters with numerical guidance to assist them in the forecast process. A description of airport operations at San Francisco and the impact of marine stratus are presented. An explanation is given of the marine stratus phenomenology and the primary factors contributing to cloud dissipation. This conceptual model of the dissipation process is used to define system requirements. A description of the hardware, communications, and display subsystems is provided. An overview of the 1995 demonstration, including user comments, is presented, as well as future plans for meeting the longer-term objectives of the project.
Summary
San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and one of the highest delay airports in terms of total aircraft delay hours and number of imposed air traffic delay programs. As with most airports, weather is the primary cause of aircraft delay. In particular...
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Six-sector antenna for the GPS-squitter en-route ground station
May 31, 1996
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-248
Summary
Summary: A six-sector antenna for a pole-mounted GPS-Squitter en-route ground station was designed, built, and tested. The fan beam of each of the six sectors of the antenna covers a 60- degree azimuthal sector. Together, the six uniformly-spaced, contiguous 60-degree sectors cover the complete 360 degrees of azimuth at the two Mode S frequencies, 1030 and 1090 MHz. When equipped with its receivers, the antenna achieves a maximum operational squitter reception range in excess of 200nmi. Physically, the antenna consists of six vertical 12-element linear arrays spaced uniformly round the circumference of an imaginary vertical circular cylinder and lying parallel to its axis. Six reflectors in the form of parabolic cylinders are mounted behind the linear arrays, one per array, to define the six separate sector beams. The complete radome-enclosed assembly is a cylinder eight feet tall and 23 inches in diameter. It weighs 250 pounds.
Summary
Summary: A six-sector antenna for a pole-mounted GPS-Squitter en-route ground station was designed, built, and tested. The fan beam of each of the six sectors of the antenna covers a 60- degree azimuthal sector. Together, the six uniformly-spaced, contiguous 60-degree sectors cover the complete 360 degrees of azimuth at the...
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Lincoln Laboratory Evaluation of TCAS II logic version 6.04a, volume I
February 21, 1996
Project Report
Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-240,I
Summary
This report documents the Lincoln Laboratory evaluation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) logic version 6.04a. TCAS II is an airborne collision avoidance system required since 30 December 1993 by the FAA on all air carrier aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats operating in U.S. airspace. Version 6.04a is a logic version mandated by the FAA by 30 December 1994 in order to correct a potential safety problem in earlier versions and to make the TCAS logic more compatible with the air traffic control system. Lincoln Laboratory evaluated the logic by examining approximately two million simulated pairwise TCAS-TCAS encounters, derived from actual aircraft tracks recorded in U.S. airspace. The main goals of the evaluation effort were: (1) to determine if version 6.04a successfully corrected the potential safety problem without introducing new problems; (2) to detect and explain any areas of poor performance; and (3) to understand the performance limits of the logic. Five analysis programs were written to aid in the evaluation, and these programs are described in the report. There were three phases of the evaluation corresponding to the above three goals. For each phase, the report gives an overview of the evaluation approach taken, a description of the results, and a summary. A description of follow-on activities plus overall conclusions and recommendations are given at the end of the report.
Summary
This report documents the Lincoln Laboratory evaluation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) logic version 6.04a. TCAS II is an airborne collision avoidance system required since 30 December 1993 by the FAA on all air carrier aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats operating in...
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