Air Traffic Control Experimentation and Evaluation with the NASA ATS-6 Satellite. Volume VII. Aircraft Antenna Evaluation Test.
Abstract
Aircraft L-band antennas designed for satellite communication were evaluated using an FAA KC-135 aircraft and the NASA ATS-6 satellite. All tests were performed between September 1974 and April 1975 as one component of the U.S. DOT/FAA aeronautical technology tests. The U.S. DOT/FAA test program was part of the international ATS-6 L-Band Experiment. Three antenna systems were evaluated: (1) a three-element slot-dipole system with antennas mounted on the top and on either side, (2) a microstrip phased array with steerable beam in the roll plane, and (3) a 'patch' consisting of a single microstrip element. Antenna performance was evaluated during controlled overocean flight. Data was acquired for a range of satellite elevation angles between 10 and 40 deg. Two RF receiving channels were used to allow simultaneous reception of data for two antennas. Antenna gain and S/I (the ratio of direct signal to multipath interference) as a function of aircraft/satellite geometry were determined by off-line analysis and presented in the form of plots and tabulations. The report consists of seven volumes: I - Executive Summary; II - Demonstration of Satellite-Supported Communications and Surveillance for Oceanic Air Traffic Control; III - Summary of U.S. Aeronautical Technology Test Program; IV - Data Reduction and Analysis Software; V - Multipath Channel Characterization Test; VI - Modem Evaluation Test; VII - Aircraft Antenna Evaluation Test. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA041862
Entities
People
- B. P. Stapleton
- C. J. Kuo
- E. H. Schroeder
Organizations
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes