Loran Coverage Availability Simulation Tool

Sherman C. Lo, Benjamin B. Peterson, C.O. Lee Boyce Jr., Per K. Enge

Abstract:	The Loran coverage availability simulation tool (LCAST) was initially created for the 2004 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Loran technical evaluation report. The tool incorporated the then current models, algorithms and figures of merit being developed for the evaluation report. Models for noise, noise mitigation, signal strength, additional secondary factor (ASF), and envelope to cycle difference (ECD) were important inputs into LCAST. Algorithms include the integrity equation and cycle determination. Other figures of merit include station availability and continuity derived from historical data. These features allowed the tool to make our best estimate of the NPA availability and continuity coverage as well as HEA performance. Since the report, the tool has evolved to incorporate the ability to test new models being developed by the evaluation. Newer noise processing, cycle determination algorithm and ASF variation models have been added. The tool has been modified to test performance changes for different infrastructure scenarios, station selection algorithms and many more. This paper describes the LCAST. It details the design of the tool. It covers the models, algorithms and assumptions that are incorporated into the tool. It also presents some recent scenarios analyzed using LCAST.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2008) September 16 - 19, 2008 Savannah International Convention Center Savannah, GA
Pages:	2595 - 2605
Cite this article:	Lo, Sherman C., Peterson, Benjamin B., Boyce, C.O. Lee, Jr., Enge, Per K., "Loran Coverage Availability Simulation Tool," Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2008), Savannah, GA, September 2008, pp. 2595-2605.
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