The Terminal Precision Approach and Landing System (TPALS)

John C. Kirk Jr

Abstract:	The Terminal Precision Approach and Landing System (TPALS) is an adjunct and back up for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) under development by the DOD. For USN carrier applications TPALS will functionally replace four existing radars. For the emerging JPALS application, it will integrate with the new DGPS data link and the new SPY-3 Multifunction radar (MFR). TPALS can then be extended to other DOD and commercial applications. TPALS consists of a shipboard segment and an airborne segment. The shipboard segment features a staring multibeam receive antenna and a separate small transmit antenna. The airborne segment includes a beacon and transponder operating thru an existing flush mounted aircraft antenna. TPALS is a mostly quiet and low probability of intercept (LPI) solution, with a large landing capacity. It is a low cost approach featuring advanced microwave technology, advanced waveform design and advanced signal processing. The operation of TPALS is somewhat reversed from standard shipboard Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) operation. Whereas current ACLS operation, consisting of SPN-41 and SPN-46 radars, involves high power shipboard radiation, and minimal aircraft radiation, TPALS shifts the emphasis to continuous aircraft radiation and minimal ship radiation. TPALS provides precision azimuth, elevation and range between the aircraft and the carrier touchdown point, thru advanced system architecture, aperture and signal processing. TPALS incorporates, builds upon and extends ongoing millimeter wave (MMW) and radar signal processing technology. To date, critical key hardware has been bread boarded in the Lab and the system concept is being verified thru analysis and a detailed simulation. Plans are underway to build a proof-of-concept system for a near term demonstration. The planned demonstrations will involve static and dynamic tower tests, and then dynamic testing with a specially instrumented test aircraft.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000) September 19 - 22, 2000 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1325 - 1331
Cite this article:	Jr, John C. Kirk, "The Terminal Precision Approach and Landing System (TPALS)," Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2000, pp. 1325-1331.
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