Abstract:
A carrier frequency modulating system and method for producing a modulated carrier frequency is disclosed. The system comprises a carrier frequency signal generator for producing a carrier frequency signal at a carrier frequency at an output thereof. The system further comprises a sequencer for producing a modulation signal at an output thereof. This modulation signal comprises a plurality of modulation signal portions separated by at least one null modulation signal portion having a corresponding time length. The system is provided with a modulator for producing a modulated carrier frequency signal at an output thereof. The modulator has a first input connected to the output of the carrier frequency signal generator for receiving the carrier frequency signal, and has a second input for receiving the modulation signal. The system further comprises a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to the carrier frequency signal generator. The sequencer is connected to the carrier frequency signal generator for controlling the activation thereof and to interrupt the carrier frequency signal generator instead of modulating the null modulation signal portion during the corresponding time length, whereby power consumption of the system is minimized.
Abstract:
An azimuthal scanning antenna for an aircraft landing system is formed of a set of vertically disposed columnar radiators arranged side-by-side in a horizontal array. The columnar radiators are tilted back in pitch 7.5.degree.. Individual ones of the radiators are formed of waveguide sections terminated by reflecting end walls. The terminating walls provide for a standing wave of electromagnetic field in response to microwave electromagnetic energy applied to the waveguide section by a feed disposed at or near the bottom of the waveguide section. Slot apertures are disposed along a front wall of each waveguide section, and are oriented at a selected angle relative to a perpendicular relationship to the sidewalls. The orientation of the slots introduces a variation in coupling for illumination of the radiation aperture of the radiator wherein the phase center is offset from a central point towards an upper end of each of the waveguide sections. The sighting of the feed and a phase shifter associated therewith to a point below the top of the waveguide section and the raising of the phase center enables the antenna to increase the height of the source point from which the beam appears to radiate. This provides better clearance of nearby objects, particularly a tower which supports an approach light, without intrusion toward an aircraft glide path. Another important characteristic is the antenna's frequency insensitivity, which provides performance over all MLS frequency channels without requiring mechanical adjustment of the antenna pitch angle.
Abstract:
The system according to the invention uses GPS/NAVSTAR navigation satellites and includes:a fixed station located in the vicinity of the landing zone, containing a receiver for positioning by satellite that gives an estimate of the position of this fixed station and computing means that give correction data representing the deviation between this estimate and a reference position; and a data transmitter transmitting, in particular, these correction data on a radio channel which is conventionally used to transmit data in a microwave landing system called the MLS system;an on-board station in each aircraft comprising: an MLS receiver capable of receiving the ancillary data transmitted by the MLS system, a receiver for positioning by satellite and a computing device by which the correction data can be used to correct an estimate of position given by the positioning receiver.
Abstract:
A real time controller is described for obtaining real time data from a sensor incorporating a memory, comparator, instruction decoder and real time counter. The real time controller solves the problem of gathering real time data as a function of time from a plurality of sensors receiving a plurality of signals.
Abstract:
The decoding circuit of the invention comprises essentially a digital filter 16, a pulse-width recognition circuit 17 a pulse peak amplitude selection circuit 23 and a circuit for decoding MLS boosted scanning pulse pairs 32 to 38. This decoding circuit makes it possible to eliminate parasite pulses from a clutter source whose width is incorrect when compared to the width of useful pulses and also to eliminate pulse pairs that have the right width but do not have the right interval.
Abstract:
Received scanning signals radiated by a MLS ground system are used to determine and evaluate the approach angle of the aircraft. The difference between the angle for a particular scanning signal and the angle for a previous scanning signal is compared to a predetermined difference. A flag or alarm is indicated when the difference is greater than the predetermined difference for one second.
Abstract:
The disclosure teaches a method, and an apparatus for carrying out the method, for determining the time between TO and FRO received waveforms from the time reference scanning beam (TRSB) of a microwave landing system (MLS). In accordance with the invention, the time interval between the TO and FRO received waveforms is determined by correlating the received waveforms with apriori waveforms representative of the TO and FRO waveforms respectively. The apriori waveforms are generated by having a process construct matched filters for these waveforms. A FRO received waveform is used to provide an apriori representation of a TO received waveform and vice-versa. In one embodiment of the invention, the TO and FRO waveforms which are used to construct the matched filters are time reversed.
Abstract:
An angle data processor apparatus utilizing a pair of phaselocked oscillator to determine the phase difference between transmitted reciprocating scanning beams. The phase difference being displayed to provide glide angle information.
Abstract:
A system for aiding the landing of an aircraft on a runway uses an angular vertical position of the aircraft and includes at least one landing aid radio. In a stand-alone manner, the position of the aircraft in latitude and longitude is determined, and the position of the threshold of the runway in latitude and longitude is determined. A computing unit corrects, on the basis of positions of the aircraft and of the threshold of the runway, the angular vertical position of the aircraft. The corrected angular vertical position is used to aid the landing of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A method and device for carrying out switchover on a radio frequency landing system of an aircraft between a first input of a radio frequency receiver, which input is connected to a first antenna disposed on a lower part of the aircraft and receives a first signal, and a second input of the radio frequency receiver, which input is connected to a second antenna disposed on an upper part of the aircraft and receives a second signal. On initialization, switchover occurs to the input whose signal exhibits the highest level. After the initialization phase, a first value of a parameter, in relation to the aircraft, and a second value of this same parameter, in relation to the runway, are determined. The difference between these first and second values is computed, and switchover occurs to one of the first and second inputs as a function of this difference.