The Beacon Target Detector (BTD) Algorithms Deployed in the ASR-9 Processor Augmentation Card (9-PAC)
Abstract
This project report describes the Beacon Target Detector (BTD) algorithms implemented in the ASR-9 Processor Augmentation Card (9-PAC). The BTD function combines replies that arise from the same aircraft to form beacon targets, and sends these beacon targets to the 9-PAC merge process where they are combined with primary radar targets. The 9-PAC BTD algorithm was designed to solve two problems with the ASR-9 Array Signal Processor (ASP) BTD: identifying and removing false beacon targets due to reflections, and preventing merging or splitting of targets due to reply overlap and garble. The BTD reflection processing algorithm marks each beacon target as either real or false, and provides this information to the 9-PAC merge process. Discrete Mode 3/A reflection false targets are identified when duplicate code reports satisfying stringent conditions are located. In order to find non-discrete Mode 3/A code reflection false targets, the BTD builds an automated, dynamic reflector database based on the geography of real and false targets with discrete Mode 3/A codes. This report supersedes an earlier report (ATC-220) which described the 9-PAC BTD algorithms prior to the operational field testing effort conducted by the FAA in 1995 and 1996. Nationwide deployment of 9-PAC on production hardware was approved in April 1999. To date, more than 60 installations have been performed, and hardware has been procured to update all 134 ASR-9s in the National Airspace System.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 05, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA383971
Entities
People
- G. R. Elkin
- J. L. Gertz
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology