Phased Array Radar Tracking Aircraft Ground Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radar tracking systems for aircraft and ground vehicles require multiple, expensive, and maintenance-intensive mechanical dish radars, lacking the capability to identify objects independently and requiring transponders for identification and location information.

Innovation Solution

A single radar system utilizing low-cost, scalable passive and active phased array radars with monopulse technology to transmit and receive beacon signals, providing identification, position, and velocity information without relying on transponders, and using pseudo-random noise codes for secure and accurate object tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical dish radars are used for tracking, then tracking capability is provided, but installation cost and maintenance requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines PSR, SSR, and SMR functions into a single integrated radar system using phased array technology. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanical dish radars for each function, reducing installation cost and maintenance requirements while maintaining all tracking capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The phased array radar system performs multiple functions (primary surveillance, secondary surveillance, and surface movement radar) simultaneously through a single universal platform. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system cost compared to deploying three separate specialized radars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If mechanical dish radars are used, then radar tracking is achieved, but the number of failure modes and maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking functionVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical dish radars with electronically-controlled phased array radars. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts that are prone to failure, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable tracking functionality through electronic beam steering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If transponders are required for identification, then aircraft identification is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar system provides identification capability through its own transmitted signals and processing, without requiring separate transponder equipment on aircraft. The system uses its radar transmissions to elicit and process identification responses, making the identification function self-contained within the radar system itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and cost-effective tracking and identification of aircraft and ground vehicles with improved accuracy and reduced maintenance needs, allowing for safe and efficient airport operations under high traffic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

PSR operates using traditional radar principles, transmitting radio pulses and listening for and timing the reflections from the skin or other metal components of aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

A monopulse radar is used to measure position information and/or velocity information from a beacon signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMonopulse:

Implementation Method 3

using pseudo-random noise codes for secure and accurate object tracking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPseudo-random noise:

Data Source

PatentUS7889115B2System and method for tracking and identifying aircraft and ground equipment

Publication Date: 2011.02.15 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods disclosed herein provide for tracking of objects, aircraft, vehicles, and ground equipment in a tracking area, such as an airspace and/or an airport terminal area. One embodiment of a tracking system of the present disclosure comprises a signal monitoring component adapted to communicate with an object, such as an aircraft, when the object enters the tracking area. The signal monitoring component is adapted to transmit a monopulse beacon query signal to the object and receive a monopulse beacon response signal from the object. The tracking system further comprises an interface component adapted to process the received monopulse beacon response signal from the object, initialize a beacon transponder on the object, and assign a network address to the object.