Radar Beacon Correlation for Airport Surface Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airport surface movement guidance and control systems (ASMGCS) are costly to install and maintain, as they require multiple transceivers and complex multilateration systems to provide both target position and identification data, which is not efficiently addressed by existing radar systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that correlates radar position data with target identification data using a minimum number of transceivers, such as radar beacon transceivers, to provide a high-quality surface picture, including target identification, and facilitates access to flight plans and other relevant data, even in high-traffic density scenarios, by calculating round trip delay values and establishing range windows to resolve ambiguities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional multilateration system with multiple transceivers is installed, then target identification data and position data can be provided, but the installation cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar position data with beacon transceiver identification data through a correlation process. The system merges data from two different sensor types (radar and beacon) to achieve both position and identification capabilities, eliminating the need for a complex multilateration system with multiple transceivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it provides position data through radar tracking and identification data through correlation with beacon transceiver replies. This multi-functionality allows a single radar system to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized transceivers in a multilateration system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transceivers are deployed for multilateration, then accurate target positioning and identification are achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar position data with beacon transceiver identification data through a correlation process. The system merges data from two different sensor types (radar and beacon) to achieve both position and identification capabilities, eliminating the need for a complex multilateration system with multiple transceivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary correlation process that matches radar target data with beacon transceiver reply data. This intermediary processing layer enables the system to derive identification data from radar observations without requiring multiple transceivers, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radar systems are used for surface target detection, then all surface targets can be detected, but target identification data is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary correlation process that matches radar target data with beacon transceiver reply data. This intermediary processing layer enables the system to derive identification data from radar observations without requiring multiple transceivers, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it provides position data through radar tracking and identification data through correlation with beacon transceiver replies. This multi-functionality allows a single radar system to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized transceivers in a multilateration system.
4Loss of information
If a complete multilateration system is installed, then identification data and position data are available, but the number of transceivers and system components required is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar position data with beacon transceiver identification data through a correlation process. The system merges data from two different sensor types (radar and beacon) to achieve both position and identification capabilities, eliminating the need for a complex multilateration system with multiple transceivers.
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
This approach allows airports to derive identification data without the need for a full multilateration system, reducing costs and maintaining accurate target tracking and position validation, even when radar systems fail, by using fewer transceivers and simpler algorithms compared to traditional multilateration techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The radar technology used in an SMR is based on the transmission and reception of radio waves and reception of return echoes from all of the targets. A combination of the narrow beam antenna and highly precise measurement of the delay between transmission and reception allows an SMR to provide highly accurate position information on all of the detected targets.
Implementation Method 2
using the transmitted signal from the first transceiver and the reply signals to calculate a first round trip delay value for each of the plurality of targets
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for using a single transceiver to correlate radar position data with target identification data. Two transceivers, operating in round trip delay mode, can be used to provide two possible positions for a given target when radar coverage is lost or unavailable. Three transceivers can be used to provide actual position of a given target using round trip delay data only.