Publications

An overview of the issues involved in the design of dual lane runways is presented. These issues include: centerline spacing, parallel taxiway, high speed exits, midpoint versus end point crossing, threshold stagger, and departure/arrival runway preference. An interactive graphics simulation was developed on the TX-2 computer. The simulation provides the...

The performance of three candidate modulation schemes for DABS is analyzed in this report and a comparison on the basis of probability of error per bit is made. The three types of modulation are PAM, DPSK, and FSK. The results show that, at a given level of interference and signal-to-noise...

This report investigates the requirements imposed on a surveillance system for supporting independent approaches to closely spaced parallel runways. Based on a proposed procedure for monitoring aircraft approach paths and controlling deviations from proper approach paths, the required spacing between runway centerlines is derived as a function of surveillance system...

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...

When digital signal processing operations are implemented on a computer or with special-purpose hardware, errors and constraints due to finite word length are unavoidable. The main categories of finite register length effects are errors due to A/D conversion, errors due to roundoffs in the arithmetic, constraints on signal levels imposed...

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...

A classical problem in radar theory is the detection of moving targets in a ground clutter plus receiver noise background. Improvements in clutter rejection have recently been made by replacing analog MTI processors by their digital equivalents as this eliminates many of the problems associated with the maintenance of the...

This report is an attempt to define the interrogation scheduling problem which arised in the implementation of the discrete address beacon idea. The interfaces of this problem with other parts of the beacon system design are discussed, and several specific algorithms for scheduling are analyzed for arrays and rotating antennas.

The role of surveillance radar will change as the evolving ATC system relies more heavily upon cooperative beacons, but radars will still remain as an important system element. Today's radars have major limitations for an automated ATC environment because they report unwanted targets (ground, bird, and weather clutter) and because...

This report covers the work done under the first phase of a continuing program of field tests on ATCRBS transponders. Characteristic transponder parameters were measured to determine their degree of compliance with the current specifications. A mobile van was outfitted with electronic test equipment which simulated the transmitter and receiver...