SMALL, LIGHTWEIGHT ALTITUDE TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT (SLATE)
Abstract
This report describes the development of experimental SLATE transponders, airborne equipment designed primarily for use by General Aviation Aircraft in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon (ATCRBS) environment. Four types of transponders were developed, each containing progressive increases in sophistication so that the effectiveness of each type in air traffic control could be separately evaluated. The Type I reported altitude only (Mode C) in 500 foot increments to 14,500 ft. MSL with a single SPI pulse for identification purposes. The Type II had the added capability of 64 codes on Mode 3/A, with the SPI pulse changed over to Mode 3/A from Mode C. The Type III transponder contained 64 codes and SPI on Mode 3/A, but changed the altitude increments from 500 feet to 100 feet. The Mark I version of the SLATE III increased the code content on Mode 3/A from 64 to 4096. During the development program, several basic designs of transponder circuitry were investigated in an attempt to reduce size, weight, power consumption and cost. This included a magnetic recording encoder/decoder, TRF receiver, digital clock-matrix encoder and various transmitter, I.F. amplifier and SLS circuit configurations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0610779