Abstract: | This paper describes a capability for simulating significant aspects ofthe imagery available from an idealized “fan-beam” radar. The object is two-fold. First, it is to evaluate the utility of such imagery in assessing the progress of an aircraft along postulated final approach paths, and secondly, to determine if the sensed imagery from a horizontally scanned fan-beam radar can be enhanced by implementing a second, vertically scanned fan-beam radar and combining the two images. Mathematical algorithms necessary to perform the simulations are derived and a Vax 111780 computer is utilized to implement them. Plots are drawn for various aircraft positions and attitudes utilizing discrete points delineating Los Angeles International airport runways 7L and 7R. The simulated visual scene is presented with the radar sensed imagery for comparison purposes. The simulation is performed in two parts. Part I contains the horizontally scanned Fan-beam Radar Imagery (FRI) and shows that while the radar imagery presents an accurate lateral view, it lacks vertical information. Thus, while yaw is apparent, pitch and roll information, as well as vertical path deviations, are not apparent. It is concluded that such imagery is inadequate to provide critical aircraft position and attitude information, especially in the vertical dimension. Part II adds a vertically scanned fan-beam radar to the horizontally scanned fan-beam radar so that combined FRI can be evaluated. The simulation shows that this technique produces an accurate view in both the lateral and vertical direction. In fact, the visual view and radar view are practically identical. Thus, yaw, pitch, and roll information, as well as progress in both the horizontal and vertical planes, are apparent. It is concluded that such combined imagery can provide critical aircraft position and attitude information. |
Published in: | NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 30, Number 1 |
Pages: | 51 - 71 |
Cite this article: | Ruhnow, W. B., "SIMULATED FAN-BEAM RADAR IMAGERY", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 30, No. 1, Spring 1983, pp. 51-71. |
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