Flight safety performance of the microwave landing system

The microwave landing system (MLS), which is scheduled to be implemented progressively over the next 10 years, is intended to supply the instrument landing system (ILS) as the international standard landing aid. MLS has been demonstrated to be superior to ILS from both performance and reliability standpoints, yet considerable debate persists on its relative merits. Although tolerance criteria for flight safety are embedded in these comparisons, flight safety has not been a major component of these discussions. The reasons why flight safety has not been an issue are addressed, and observations on the flight safety of MLS are related from a systems point of view. The effect of MLS on airport capacity is identified as a central issue. Observations are derived from a review of available documentation and operational results to date as well as discussions with the participants     

MLS: a total system approach

A typical approach and landing operation is described. The microwave landing system (MLS) is then examined, its design characteristics and how it works are shown, and how the MLS design fulfils the user's operational requirements by protecting the guidance signal from reflected signal interference is highlighted. MLS angle system accuracy is discussed in great detail, and its reliability, integrity, and coverage volume are briefly considered. MLS availability at any runway to all aircraft types and their landing scenarios, which is accomplished using narrow scanning beam antennas, is examined     

Microwave Landing System

The National Microwave Landing Systems (MLS) program is a joint DOT/DOD/NASA effort to implement a common civil/military precision landing system to replace the current Instrument Landing System (ILS). The MLS will be capable of providing precision landing guidance down to Category III minimum while allowing for complex approach paths in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The system is based on the Time Reference Scanning Beam (TRSB) technique which was selected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in April 1978 as the new international landing system standard. MLS is less susceptible to interference from the surrounding area and provides a greater signal coverage area than ILS.     

High accuracy navigation and landing system using GPS/IMU systemintegration

In this paper, the accuracy, integrity and continuity of function requirements for automatic landing systems using satellite navigation systems are discussed. Such a landing system is the integrated navigation and landing system (INLS) developed by Deutsche Aerospace (DASA/Ulm, Germany). The system concepts of the INLS are presented. It is shown how an INLS, based on system integration of a satellite navigation system (e.g., GPS) in realtime differential mode with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in the accuracy class of an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), can meet the requirements: the results given are mainly devoted to the accuracy issues. Using Kalman filter techniques, an in-flight calibration of the IMU is performed. The advantage of system integration, especially in dynamic flight conditions and during phases of flight with satellite masking, is explained. The accuracy, integrity and continuity of function of the INLS were proven by means of flight tests in a commuter aircraft using a laser tracker as a reference. These flight tests have shown that the short-term accuracy (<60 seconds) of the AHRS used within the INLS has been improved from low cost sensor quality to the accuracy of a high quality laser inertial navigation system (LNIS). With the presented INLS, a landing at any airfield, not equipped with conventional Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Microwave Landing System (MLS), is possible by using a very cost effective system. The INLS is a high accuracy navigation and landing system designed to be used instead of conventional landing systems at small airfields and to fill operational gaps of conventional navigation and landing systems in cruise and approach on large airports     

飞机着陆系统的现状与发展

论述了仪表着陆系统(ILS)、微波着陆系统(MLS)的作用及应用前景和主要优缺点。提出在未来MLS系统逐步取代ILS系统的过程中,ILS／MLS组合着陆系统导航设备的应用与发展。     

民用飞机着陆系统安全性评估的故障树分析

飞机着陆系统是保障飞机安全进近着陆的关键系统,如何评估着陆系统满足安全性设计要求是系统设计的重要环节之一。阐述民用飞机安全性评估的基本流程,以微波着陆系统为例,针对给定的微波着陆系统框图,通过故障树分析方法,对完全丧失两侧微波着陆信息的失效状态进行定量评估,重点详述建树过程和建树方法。结果表明:故障树分析对系统架构的设计具有重要的指导作用,二者紧密结合、相互反馈;特别是当失效状态所对应的概率要求无法满足时,借助故障树分析产生的割集报告,能找出系统架构存在的薄弱之处和关键部位,从而采取有效的应对措施,完成对系统架构的优化设计。     

System Considerations for the New DME/P International Standard

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has completed technical standards for the precision distance measuring equipment (DME/P). The DME/P is an integral element of the microwave landing system (MLS) and will provide the precision ranging function to complement the already standardized azimuth and elevation guidance functions of the system. In 1978 an ICAO meeting concluded that the DME/P should be integrated into the existing standards for the conventional DME (DME/N) as a compatible service. The motivation for this was economic. It was reasoned that a single L-band airborne unit could satisfy the need for both existing enroute and the new precision approach and landing services, thereby avoiding unnecessary duplication of on-board ranging equipment. Furthermore, this approach would permit existing conventional airborne equipment to obtain service from the new DME/P ground facilities at least during the initial stages of MLS implementation. These compatibility requirements were later incorporated into the DME/P statement of operational requirements which was accepted at an ICAO meeting in April 1981. Further, they have been a primary focus in the DME/P standardization effort which has been actively pursued since late 1980. The conceptual design of the DME/P that evolved from the ICAO process is discussed here. The comptability issues are highlighted, and it is shown how they are accommodated in the system synthesis which also treats the obvious need for a guidance function of high integrity and robust performance in the severe multipath environment encountered in approach and landing operations.     

Microwave landing system: a pilots point of view

The author describes the MLS installation on runway 19L at Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas, which has been operational since mid-1987. He describes the MLS equipment installation in his aircraft, which is one of a number of aircraft in the Wichita area that have been equipped with MLS equipment and routinely utilize the system. He summarizes his operational experience with the system. He reports complete satisfaction and increased versatility as a result of the guidance information provided     

The case for ILS

In response to the interest and activity in microwave landing systems (MLSs), the capability of instrument landing systems (ILSs) is examined and a case for their continued implementation is made. The changes that have been made with respect to electronic hardware, monitoring, and antenna systems in response to more stringent demands are reviewed. It is argued that there is no technical impediment to the installation of additional and upgraded ILS installations over the 1990s and that these installations would be cost effective and pay back the investments before being displaced by MLS     

Applications of slotted cable antennas in the instrument landingsystem

The use of slotted waveguides in the instrument landing system (ILS) is discussed, and applications of slotted cable antennas to the ILS localizer and glide slope are described. Examples are given of both existing and prospective designs intended to provide solutions for specific siting problems. Important applications are to the end-fire glide slope and category-III localizers     

ILS-a safe bet for your future landings

An argument is presented in favor of the ILS (instrument landing system), the principal components of which are the localizer, which provides lateral guidance to the pilot, and the glide slope, which gives the vertical guidance. A pilot flying these signals precisely will end up over the hard surface runway with the ILS receiving antenna, wherever it is mounted on the aircraft, being about 20 ft above the touchdown point. The safety record and evolution of the ILS are examined, and a pilot's view of ILS (that of the author, an engineer who has worked with ILS since 1957 and a pilot who has used ILS safely for over 30 years) is given. System availability is discussed, and comments concerning future use are offered     

Application of Endfire Arrays at Contemporary Glide-Slope Problem Sites

The application of the endfire-type, compatible instrument landing system (ILS) glide slope is discussed in the context of providing increased capability to install facilities without requirements for extensive terrain modification. Costs of preparing a site for glide-slope operation can be reduced many times by eliminating the requirement for the usual image-forming ground plane. An example is given where the first endfire glide slope has been installed at an airdrome on a mesa giving a high quality path in space in spite of the limited real estate. Recent flight data from this glide slope are presented.     

基于成本效益分析的ILS/MLS过渡决策

本文在对民航几个具有代表性的机场和航空公司进行调研基础上，提出了ＩＬＳ／ＭＬＳ成本计算和未来机队预测方法，从我国目前应用ＩＬＳ现状出发，列举了由ＭＬＳ可能获得的效益。根据成本计算结果的比较和分析，提出了我国ＩＬＳ／ＭＬＳ过渡方案参考的结论和建议，供领导机关作决策选择。     

Analysis of the Integrity of the Microwave Landing System (MLS) Data Eu nctions

The microwave landing system (MLS) transmits angle, data, andrange information for use by airborne receivers. In this paper, theintegrity of the data functions is analyzed in terms of the probabilityof undetected errors remaining in the data. The data format andintegrity requirements were derived from the MLS standards andguidance material defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Results show that the performancerequirements can be met by: 1) averaging the received data bits ofseveral samples of the same word using a majority voting;2) reducing the bit error rate at the output of the receiver'sdecoder; and 3) a combination of the above techniques.     

Microwave Landing System Area Navigation

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) states that the Time Reference Scanning Beam (TRSB) Microwave Landing System will supplant the existing Instrument Landing System (ILS) as the recognized international standard as early as 1995. The MLS provides the ability to determine the aircraft's position in three dimensional space over a large coverage volume in the airport terminal area. This affords the capability to navigate and execute approaches throughout this volume of coverage. This technique is known as Microwave Landing System Area Navigation (MLS RNAV). In order to assess and further develop the potential capabilities of MLS RNAV, the FAA Technical Center has undertaken the tasks of performing analytical studies, as well as the development of a prototype MLS RNAV system.     

ILS-past and present

Insight is provided into the evolution of VHF/UHF instrument landing system (ILS) equipment and the role of the US Civil Aeronautics and Federal Aviation Administrations in its development. The discussion covers the ILS localizer, glide slope (image arrays and nonimage arrays), marker beacon, reliability, and avionics     

Improvement of Automatic Landing Through the Use of a Space Diversity ILS Receiving System

A space diversity method of receiving and processing ILS localizer information has been developed and flight tested. Multiple lateral ly separated antennas are used which sense the ILS signal on and around the approach path. Combining these signals suppresses ILS beam distortion produced by multipath signal interference and provides much improved guidance information to the landing aircraft control system.     

飞机着陆调度的到达时间优化

机场终端区常常是整个运输网络的瓶颈,对到达交通流的优化可以有效的提高系统运行效率。本文研究了在着陆顺序已经确定的情况下,对到达航班流的预计着陆时间优化问题。建立了线性规划优化模型,提出了一种启发式算法。两种方法的对比计算分析表明:启发式算法在结果上与优化算法很接近,而且更为重要的是,它能更好的满足现实空管的复杂约束要求。     

A localizer design to improve missed approach guidance

A novel VHF localizer system has been designed, built and successfully tested to provide increased reliability and safety of commercial and general aviation air transportation. Additional benefits are more precise tracks for aircraft executing a missed approach, reduced volume of the airspace needed for missed approaches, and reduced sizes of areas affected by noise. The design uses contemporary instrument landing system (ILS) hardware to provide dual independent front and back course directional localizer operation with two carriers in the receiver passband offset 4 kHz from the nominal carrier frequency. An example is given of an application and solution to an ILS problem at Reno, NV. Relevant data are presented     

Improved Antenna Systems for ILS Localizers

For many years Norwegian airports have been equipped with instrument landing system (ILS) localizers of conventional type. Most of the localizers, however, were found not to perform very well on these sites. The course bends were too large and even moderate amounts of snow and ice could cause the localizer to fall out of operation. To overcome these difficulties, the requirements for localizer operation at these airports were analyzed and a new and improved antenna system developed. After a long period of operational testing, during which it was made clear that a substantial improvement in performance had been achieved, the new localizer antenna system is now in operation at 13 Norwegian airports.