Feasibility Model of Landing Performance Monitor.

Abstract

A dual-level, four-wavelength, L-band interferometer was designed and constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of precisely monitoring and recording the path followed by aircraft on ILS approach. This is accomplished by the application of passive RF interferometry techniques to track the source of the DME interrogation signals radiated by existing airborne radio navigation equipment. The design specifications and performance characteristics of the breadboard equipment are described, as well as methods for converting observed RF phase data into conical space angle. Two series of flight tests were conducted with the breadboard model. The initial tests at Republic Airport demonstrated qualitatively the validity of the concept and provided operational experience. In a second series of tests at Atlantic City, New Jersey (NAFEC), quantitative comparisons were made between optical tracking theodolite measurements of conical angle and those derived from the RF phase measurements. (Modified author abstract)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1974
Accession Number
AD0783191

Entities

People

  • George W. Morton

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Breadboard Models
  • Communication Equipment
  • Interferometers
  • Interferometry
  • L Band
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Models
  • Navigation
  • Navigational Equipment
  • New Jersey
  • Optical Tracking
  • Phase
  • Phase Measurement
  • Radio Navigation
  • Theodolites

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space