Performance Analysis of Monopulse Receivers for Secondary Surveillance Radar

In modern secondary surveillance radar (SSR) the monopulse technique is currently introduced for the measurement of the azimuth of the targets. The monopulse technique is based on a suitable processing of signals received by a multiple antenna. In SSR the signals are generated by a transponder on the aircraft as replies to interrogations from ground equipment, and consist of trains of pulses. The monopulse measurements can be carried out on the basis of a single pulse from each train, so that it provides a great number of azimuth estimates. Many monopulse measurement devices exist, corresponding to different processing techniques. From the point of view of accuracy and precision, their behaviors differ with respect to the sources of errors, both internal (noise and imperfect calibrations) and external (interference and propagation effects). The four main types of monopulse receivers are analyzed here with respect to the effects of the internal error sources on the resulting measurement accuracy. After an introductory discussion of the performances of the receivers, a detailed analysis is carried out on the basis of a general mathematical model. The results are given in an analytical form and in some comprehensive diagrams.     

Actual TDoA-based augmentation system for enhancing cybersecurity in ADS-B

Currently, cybersecurity and cyber resilience are emerging and urgent issues in next-generation air traffic surveillance systems, which depend primarily on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) owing to its low cost and high accuracy. Unfortunately, ADS-B is prone to cyber-attacks. To verify the ADS-B positioning data of aircraft, multilateration (MLAT) techniques that use Time Differences of Arrivals (TDoAs) have been proposed. MLAT exhibits low accuracy in determining aircraft positions. Recently, a novel technique using a theoretically calculated TDoA fingerprint map has been proposed. This technique is less dependent on the geometry of sensor deployment and achieves better accuracy than MLAT. However, the accuracy of the existing technique is not sufficiently precise for determining aircraft positions and requires a long computation time. In contrast, this paper presents a reliable surveillance framework using an Actual TDoA-Based Augmentation System (ATBAS). It uses historically recorded real-data from the OpenSky network to train our TDoA fingerprint grid network. Our results show that the accuracy of the proposed ATBAS framework in determining the aircraft positions is significantly better than those of the MLAT and expected TDoA techniques by 56.93% and 48.86%, respectively. Additionally, the proposed framework reduced the computation time by 77% compared with the expected TDoA technique.     

Space-based SSR constellation for global air traffic control

Advanced surveillance and communications are the main functions needed for an efficient Air Traffic Control/Management (ATC/ATM). In order to perform them over the entire Earth, a novel architecture is described and evaluated. It supplies the surveillance and data link capabilities of advanced Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) Mode S world-wide by means of a constellation of medium orbit satellites carrying SSR Mode S interrogators with phased-array antennas; no new equipment is required on-board aircraft, because the standard transponders are used. The rationale for the study, the system geometry, the link budget computation, the accuracy requirements as well as the subsequent design of the payload and of the optimized constellations needed for global coverage with high location accuracy are described. Moreover, details are given about the design of the spacecraft and of the main units of the space segment. The encouraging results of this overall system study pave the way to a demonstration based on simulators and ground prototypes of the critical parts     

Algorithms for Improved, Heading Assisted, Maneuver Tracking

The evolution of the SSR mode S system makes it possible to receive airborne measurements at the ground station. The possibility of using data-linked heading measurements to assist present trackers to track maneuvering aircraft is investigated. The quality to be expected from heading measurements is investigated from available on-board recordings. Maneuver detection and false measurement rejection schemes are developed, and finally suitable maneuver tracking filters are constructed and evaluated.     

Broadcasting of a Digitally Coded List of Transponder Equipped Aircraft Scanned by FAA Ground Radars as a Means of Collision Avoidance, Navigation, Air Traffic Structuring, and Airfield Approach

An air traffic control system is proposed in which 1) all aircraft are equipped wit transponders, 2) FAA radar sites broadcast a digitally coded list of the identity, altitude, and coordinates of aircraft scanned, 3) each aircraft on receiving this list converts it into a PPI display with the blip of that aircraft branded and blips of off-altitude aircraft blanked, and 4) superimposed on this display are projected maps of airways appropriate to the particular radar and the aircraft altitude. This system could provide a fairly complete capability for air traffic control, structuring, navigation, and collision avoidance at a cost of about 3000 dollars per aircraft. It would replace most navigational and communication equipment now in use and could be operational in several years.     

Maximum likelihood azimuth estimation applied to SSR/IFF systems

A conventional (nonmonopulse) secondary surveillance radar (SSR) is significantly cheaper than a monopulse SSR but exhibits much greater azimuthal error, especially when some of the replies are missing. Estimation techniques and their performance are discussed with special reference to SSR applications, and a novel estimator for conventional SSR is described. The proposed technique is a close approximation of the maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE), taking into account the receiver characteristics as well as the missed replies. Estimator performance obtained by analysis and computer simulation is compared with that of conventional estimators that are based on the leading and trailing edges of binary sequences and shows significantly improved accuracy     

基于非线性多基站分布式混沌随机共振方法的无线通信系统定位技术研究

针对传统的无线定位方法容易受到接收信号信噪比低和无法接收直射信号的影响,将导致其性能下降乃至严重时方法失效。提出了一种基于非线性多基站分布式混沌随机共振信号增强技术的无线通信系统定位方法,通过利用基站端的接收阵列构造接收信号的分布式功率谱,并对多个接收基站的分布式功率谱进行融合,可以较为有效地解决上述问题。通过仿真,验证了所提出方法的可行性和有效性,与传统无线定位方法相比,该方法的定位精度得到了有效改善。     

Doppler and direction-of-arrival (DDOA) radar for multiple-mover sensing

A low-cost two-element receiving array concept is investigated for detecting multiple moving targets in indoor surveillance applications. Conventional direction-of-arrival (DOA) detection requires the use of an antenna array with multiple elements. Here we investigate the use of only two elements in the receiver array. The concept entails resolving the Doppler frequencies of the returned signals from the moving targets, and then measuring the phase difference at each Doppler frequency component to calculate the DOA of the targets. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the concept and to asses the DOA errors for multiple movers. An experimental system is designed and constructed to test the concept. The system consists of a two-element receiver array operating at 2.4 GHz. Measurement results of human subjects in indoor environments are presented, including through-wall scenarios.     

Computation of aircraft geometric height under radar surveillance

A radar system for geometric height estimation of civil aircraft is described. The system consists of one standard or mode S secondary surveillance radar (SSR) and one omnidirectional antenna sited away from SSR under an airplane. The geometric height is derived by trilateration. Systematic errors are compensated for by deriving the profile of the effect on height measurements of the bias in range measurements. A curve-fitting technique is then used, which estimates both the geometric height and any non-zero systematic errors     

Blind source separation and beamforming: algebraic technique analysis

Blind source separation (BSS) and blind beamforming schemes attempt to separate additive source signals, collected at a sensor array, and their direction-of-arrival (DOA). To this extent, many different and powerful algorithms have been produced to accomplish these tasks. However, unlike an optimal or adaptive method, an algebraic method for BSS and blind beamforming has the relative advantage of simplicity. This paper investigates such a technique that provides closed-form, algebraic expressions for BSS and beamforming in terms of performance and reliability. We provide these results, as well as a summary of the properties, and possible uses for this technique, in contrast to more optimal, adaptive techniques.     

Eigenstructure-based algorithms for direction finding withtime-varying arrays

This paper considers the problem of finding the directions of narrowband signals using a time-varying array whose elements move during the observation interval in an arbitrary but known way. We derive two eigenstructure-based algorithms for this problem, which are modifications of techniques developed originally for time-invariant arrays. The first uses array interpolation, and the second uses focusing matrices. Like other eigenstructure-based methods, these algorithms require a modest amount of computations in comparison with the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulations, and is compared with the Cramer Rao Bound (CRB). Although both techniques were successful for wideband array processing with time-invariant arrays, we found that only the interpolated array algorithm is useful for direction finding (DF) with time-varying arrays     

嵌套阵列最大似然估计测向算法

针对在辐射源个数未知的条件下嵌套阵列难以估计多个辐射源角度的问题,提出了基于最大似然估计(MLE)的嵌套阵列角度估计算法。算法在嵌套阵列模型的基础上,首先通过推导阵列截获多辐射源信号的最大似然函数及其梯度,利用最速下降法估计出空域中所有潜在辐射源的角度;然后,通过多元假设检验,利用最大似然比与门限进行比较,确定出空域中所有潜在辐射源中某一时刻发射信号的活跃辐射源角度,排除其余噪声形成的虚假辐射源角度,解决了在辐射源个数未知条件下嵌套阵列对多个辐射源角度估计问题。仿真结果表明:与传统多重信号分类(MUSIC)算法相比,该算法在辐射源数目未知、存在相干信号、低信噪比(SNR)、低快拍数条件下,均具有较好的角度估计精度,并且算法形成的虚拟阵列自由度是空间平滑MUSIC算法的2倍;多元假设检验法比传统信源数目估计算法在低信噪比条件下和处理相干信号方面具有明显优势。     

Optimum Transponder Design for Pseudonoise-Coded Ranging Systems, Weak Signals

Optimization of the bandwidth of a turnaround transponder is carried out for weak signals at the transponder receiver. Optimum transponder bandwidth is found to be around 0.77-1, where T is the period of one element of the ranging code. Linear transponders are compared with transponders having baseband limiting. Phase modulation is assumed. It is shown that, for weak signals, linear transponders are preferable for a partitioning of the transponder transmitted power giving (carrier power)/(total power) > 0.43, while baseband limiters are preferred for (carrier power)/(total power) < 0.43.     

基于稀疏阵列和码分信号的机载预警雷达STAP研究

基于稀疏阵列和码分正交信号,研究了机载雷达的空时自适应处理（STAP）技术,用于空中预警背景下的地面杂波抑制和运动目标探测。提出了稀疏阵列码分多相位中心孔径综合方法,采用正交编码信号实现多发多收,使综合后不同编码信号的相位中心在数量和分布情况上和满阵天线的相同,从而避免了稀疏阵列天线旁瓣较高的问题;在孔径综合的基础上,利用空时自适应处理方法完成杂波抑制,实现运动目标检测。仿真结果表明了本文方法的有效性。     

某型飞机着水识别方案研究

某型飞机具备在水上正常起降的功能,飞机的电传飞控系统在不同的飞行状态下对应不同的飞行控制律,控制律包括地面模式、起飞模式、空中模式、拉平模式、着陆/着水模式,不同的控制律模式飞机的操纵特性不同,因此工作模式之间切换时需要非常精准的时机,否则会造成事故或机毁人亡。飞机在着陆时可以通过起落架轮载开关作为判断着陆成功的信号,将控制律切换到着陆模式;飞机在着水时起落架始终为收起状态,再无其它可用的信号识别飞机是否成功着水。提出使用压力传感器、浮子式开关、水浸传感器等信号作为着水识别的方案,对不同的方案进行了权衡研究,得出成熟度最高的方案,并分析其可能存在的问题及相应的解决措施,最后得出结论。     

Efficient aerodynamics for a second-generation supersonic transport aircraft

The EUROSUP Project, supported by the European Union, has investigated the use of advanced techniques for simulation of viscous flows in combination with algorithms for modifying aircraft shape to realise efficient aerodynamic designs of a conceptual second-generation supersonic aircraft. This paper describes the work performed and concludes that these methods are capable of yielding highly efficient results.     

存在阵列模型误差情况下的宽带DOA估计

 针对工程应用中存在阵列模型误差的任意形状天线阵列的宽带波达方向（DOA）估计问题,提出一种基于信号分离的相关域宽带松弛（RELAX）算法。此算法利用具有记忆与遗忘特征的矩阵算子的投影机理对入射信号进行有效的分离,因此对一定范围内的阵列模型误差较之基于子空间理论的传统宽带测向算法具有较好的鲁棒性与良好的工程应用前景。分析并证明了此算法的信号分离机理及此算法对阵列模型误差稳健的原理。理论分析与仿真结果均表明存在阵列模型误差时此算法宽带DOA估计的有效性和稳健性。     

Rosetta Radio Science Investigations (RSI)

The Rosetta spacecraft has been successfully launched on 2nd March 2004 to its new target comet 67 P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The science objectives of the Rosetta Radio Science Investigations (RSI) experiment address fundamental aspects of cometary physics such as the mass and bulk density of the nucleus, its gravity field, its interplanetary orbit perturbed by nongravitational forces, its size and shape, its internal structure, the composition and roughness of the nucleus surface, the abundance of large dust grains, the plasma content in the coma and the combined dust and gas mass flux. The masses of two asteroids, Steins and Lutetia, shall be determined during flybys in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Secondary objectives are the radio sounding of the solar corona during the superior conjunctions of the spacecraft with the Sun during the cruise phase. The radio carrier links of the spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) subsystem between the orbiter and the Earth will be used for these investigations. An Ultrastable oscillator (USO) connected to both transponders of the radio subsystem serves as a stable frequency reference source for both radio downlinks at X-band (8.4 GHz) and S-band (2.3 GHz) in the one-way mode. The simultaneous and coherent dual-frequency downlinks via the High Gain Antenna (HGA) permit separation of contributions from the classical Doppler shift and the dispersive media effects caused by the motion of the spacecraft with respect to the Earth and the propagation of the signals through the dispersive media, respectively. The investigation relies on the observation of the phase, amplitude, polarization and propagation times of radio signals transmitted from the spacecraft and received with ground station antennas on Earth. The radio signals are affected by the medium through which the signals propagate (atmospheres, ionospheres, interplanetary medium, solar corona), by the gravitational influence of the planet on the spacecraft and finally by the performance of the various systems involved both on the spacecraft and on ground.     

民机航向道信标接收功能定量评估方法研究

针对民用飞机仪表着陆系统(ILS)航向道信标(LOC)接收功能试飞中机载LOC接收功能定量评估存在困难的问题,通过对LOC基本工作原理和机场LOC地面台信号的分析,并结合机场LOC地面台的飞行校验方法和校验结果,将试飞使用跑道LOC地面台本身存在的误差以及飞行校验的设备误差纳入考量,结合民用飞机机载LOC系统试飞科目的...     

A review on carrier aircraft dispatch path planning and control on deck

As an important part in sortie/recovery process, the dispatch of carrier aircraft not only affects the sortie/recovery efficiency and safety, but also has severe influence on the carrier’s combat efficiency and the comprehensive support capability. Path planning is the key to improve the efficiency and safety during the dispatch process. The main purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive investigation of techniques and research progress for the carrier aircraft’s dispatch path planning on the deck. Three different dispatch modes of carrier aircraft and the corresponding modeling technologies are investigated, and the aircraft’s dispatch path planning techniques and algorithms have been classified into different classes. Moreover, their assumptions and drawbacks have been discussed for single aircraft and multiple aircraft. To make the research work more comprehensive, the corresponding tracking control methodologies are also discussed. Finally, due to the similarity of path planning problem between the carrier aircraft’s dispatch and those in other fields, this paper provides an exploratory prospect of the knowledge or method learned from other fields.