Publications

This report discusses the operational performance of the FAA ATCRBS system, as determined from data extracted from the ARTS III digital processing system. Data was gathered from several sites including Andrews Air Force Base, (Md.), Logan International Airport (Boston, Mass.), and McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas, Nevada). Quantitative performance data, as well as discussion of the problem area and possible techniques and procedures for its solution, are provided in the areas of weak/broken targets, false targets, synchronous garble, interference, erroneous decoding, improper defruiter operation, and insufficient angular resolution. A discussion of improvements that can alleviate some of the deficiences of today's secondary radar (ATCRBS) system is included.

This report reviews the performance of operational ASR's, discusses each type of clutter with which the target must compete, examines presently employed methods of overcoming clutter and several state-of-the-art techniques which have not found their way into the ASR's for one reason or another. It concludes by describing two radars, one at S-band and one at UHF, which are believed to come closest to fulfilling ASR requirements in advanced ARTS facilities. The major improvements in performance will be derived from the use of linear optimum signal processing. Further gains will be achieved through the use of adaptive thresholds. STC will combat bird clutter. The radar will incorporate proper shaping of the antenna pattern so that aircraft off the peak of the antenna elevation beam will not be at a disadvantage compared to moving clutter at the peak. The recommended radar concepts also include radial velocity determination by Doppler measurement. This should prove of value in maintaining target tracks and in discrimination against ground vehicles.