Development of the PLS Tactically Deployable Dual-Thread Landing System

D. King, J. Wright, J. Hansen

Abstract:	Sierra Nevada Corporation has developed a robust, dual-thread P(Y) code DGPS/Tracking Radar aircraft landing system. The system consists of independent threads; a Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) Signal-in-Space-compatible DGPS landing system and a portable Ka-Band Tracking Radar system. The system is targeted at Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) applications; however, there are plans to certify the system for future manned applications. This paper discusses the specification, development, integration, and flight test of this landing system. The DGPS portion is unique in its application of P(Y) code GPS receivers to a LAAS/GBAS architecture. The design lends itself to easy integration with other A/J GPS receivers and antenna systems. The system utilizes a LAAS/GBAS compatible data link, but is designed for easy integration of other data links. The development of the high integrity architecture, including integrity monitors and voting processors will be described. The paper concludes with numerous plots of flight test results, comparing the performance of the P(Y) code DGPS system and the tracking radar, compared against KCPT-derived truth data.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS/GNSS 2003) September 9 - 12, 2003 Oregon Convention Center Portland, OR
Pages:	2425 - 2430
Cite this article:	King, D., Wright, J., Hansen, J., "Development of the PLS Tactically Deployable Dual-Thread Landing System," Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS/GNSS 2003), Portland, OR, September 2003, pp. 2425-2430.
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