Terrain Effect as a Limiting Factor in Precision Approaches by ILS and MLS

Pravas R. Mahapatra, M. Poulose

Abstract:	The performance of the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), and the more modem Microwave Landing Systems (MLS), is subject to degradation due to site effects. When the integrity of these systems is otherwise assured, site effects can set the limit to their utility as aids for precision approach by landing aircraft. The paper outlines a method for evaluating such degradation without recourse to experimental procedures. Scattering of electromagnetic radiation from the terrain is evaluated using ray theoretic methods, and its effect is superimposed on the ideal system behavior to estimate performance degradation. The results are cast in an ICAO format to facilitate comparison with experimental results. Sample results are presented.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993) June 21 - 23, 1993 Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA
Pages:	163 - 172
Cite this article:	Mahapatra, Pravas R., Poulose, M., "Terrain Effect as a Limiting Factor in Precision Approaches by ILS and MLS," Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993), Cambridge, MA, June 1993, pp. 163-172.
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