Using satellites to improve civilian aircraft surveillance coverageSurveillance of aircraft is presently accomplished through the use of terrestrial based secondary radar sensors, which are capable of interrogating transponders aboard aircraft. Transponder responses provide the basis for determining radial distance by measuring round-trip signal time while antenna angular position is used to determine azimuthal position. These interrogating radar beams are line-of-sight and thus have their coverage obscured by mountains and tall buildings. The addition of more radar sites is rendered unfeasible by the lack of easy access to the required additional site locations. A possible solution to this problem is to deploy satellites that interrogate transponder-equipped aircraft from a position that provides an unobstructed view.
Document ID
19850031361
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mcgraw, K. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)