Development and flight test of a helicopter, X-band, portable precision landing system conceptA beacon landing system (BLS) is being developed and flight tested as a part of NASA's Rotorcraft All-Weather Operations Research Program. The system is based on state-of-the-art X-band radar technology and digital processing techniques. The BLS airborne hardware consists of an X-band receiver and a small microprocessor, installed in conjunction with the aircraft instrument landing system (ILS) receiver. The microprocessor analyzes the X-band, BLS pulses and outputs ILS-compatible localizer and glide slope signals. Range information is obtained using an on-board weather/mapping radar in conjunction with the BLS. The ground station is an inexpensive, portable unit; it weighs less than 70 lb and can be quickly deployed at a landing site. Results from the flight-test program show that the BLS has a significant potential for providing rotorcraft with low-cost, precision instrument approach capability in remote areas.
Document ID
19860050870
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Davis, T. J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Clary, G. R. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Chisholm, J. P. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Macdonald, S. L. (Sierra Nevada Corp. Reno, United States)