SECANT-A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF MID-AIR COLLISIONS

W. B. Miles

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	THE PAPER DESCRIBES the principal characteristics of SECANT, a system for the Separation and Control of Aircraft using Non-synchronous Techniques. This cooperative, transponding collision-avoidance system, designed to be compatible within the entire aviation community, is capable of accommodating the dense air traffic anticipated for the 1980’s and beyond. It makes available to the pilot evasion or escape maneuvers in any direction—vertical, horizontal, or a combination. SECANT helps the pilot to avoid mid-air collisions by transmitting probes and receiving replies with a 1 ms pulse up to 1000 pulses/s on 24 different frequencies. Various discriminants are used to eliminate undesired signals, and the false alarm rate is near zero. The capabilities of each of the following modular equipments are discussed: Remitter, Proximity Warning Indicator, Vertical Escape Collision Avoidance System, Vicinity Traffic Finder, Collision Avoidance System, and Traffic-Monitoring System. The correlator, which transmits a randomly selected frequency probe and, when a corresponding frequency is received, retransmits an appropriate reply, is described. The theory of operation is presented, and development plans are outlined.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 19, Number 4
Pages:	363 - 376
Cite this article:	Miles, W. B., "SECANT-A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF MID-AIR COLLISIONS", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 19, No. 4, Winter 1972-1973, pp. 363-376.
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