ILS FLIGHT INSPECTION POSITIONING SYSTEMS.
Abstract
The ILS Flight Inspection Positioning System provides a precise determination of aircraft angular position with respect to a ground reference, and thus furnishes a means for calibrating an Instrument Landing System. The equipment described represents the feasibility model of a system designed to permit accurate flight inspection of Category I, II, and III Instrument Landing Systems. The technique can also be employed as a precision landing system with pilot selectable glide path, and this fact was demonstrated on the feasibility model. The FIPS employs two transmitters appropriately located with respect to the runway, and real-time data readout is obtained from a receiver in the flight inspection aircraft. One ground unit is installed near the ILS localizer antenna to provide horizontal angular position, and the other near the ILS glide slope antenna for vertical angular information. The antenna array at each transmitter site is a three-element interferometer, and the desired position information is encoded on the radiated beam by appropriate excitation of the three stationary elements. The high positioning accuracy is obtained by mapping a small angle in space onto a large electrical phase angle. The FIPS operates at X-band to provide all-weather capability and to minimize the effects of ground reflections. The system was tested and demonstrated satisfactory operation even at a difficult site. It is recommended that work be initiated on a prototype model of the FIPS. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0681101
Entities
People
- C. H. Grauling Jr
Organizations
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation