ATCRBS Uplink Environment Measurement Near Jacksonville, Florida.
Abstract
Airborne measurements of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) 1030 MHz uplink environment are described. Measurements were made using the AMF, a special purpose airborne sensor-recorder, during a 23 May 1979 flight in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area. The 2-way flight covered the 450 nm coastline between Fayetteville (NC) and Vero Beach (FL) first at 10,000 then at 25,000 feet. Data recorded at 61 locations have been analyzed to plot combined pulse, interrogation and suppression rates for all locations and individual rates, received powers and angles for 37 locations. Fifty-nine ground interrogators were detected and a list included serves as an all-interrogator/all location (59 x 37) visibility matrix. PRI/PRF distributions of interrogations received are shown at three selected measurement locations. A pulse-by-pulse plot of over 50 Mode 4 interrogations shows their effect on a typical transponder. A worst location is examined for peak instantaneous interrogation rates capable of causing transponder reply-rate limiting (RRL), desensitization and track loss. Durations and periods of recurrence of synchronous jamming for 23 near-equal scan periods are computed. Probabilities of multiple mainbeam coincidences (multi-PRF jamming) are also calculated. Airborne (AMF) and ground based (FAA En-route) coverages are compared, and reported operational problems (target splits, lost tracks, poor coverage) are addressed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 25, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108053
Entities
People
- F. Nagy Jr
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology