Secondary Radar Time Management for S Mode Interrogation Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing density of aircraft in air traffic control areas and the diversity of interrogation modes pose challenges in optimizing radar time management, particularly in ensuring long-range coverage and frequent information renewal, which is exacerbated by the high antenna rotation speeds and varying aircraft equipment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A real-time management and sequencing method for secondary radar systems that dynamically allocates time slots for non-selective and selective interrogation modes, allowing for asynchronous transactions in unused time slots and inserting ancillary tasks to optimize radar time usage, while maintaining compliance with safety constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the antenna rotation speed is increased to refresh information more frequently, then the information renewal rate is improved, but the illumination time allocated to each target becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic time allocation where the radar system continuously adjusts the illumination time for each target based on real-time traffic density, target priority, and antenna position. This allows the system to maintain high rotation speeds while ensuring sufficient illumination time for critical targets by dynamically redistributing time resources rather than using fixed allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of time allocation dynamically, adjusting the duration of illumination for each target according to varying operational conditions. The radar can extend or reduce illumination time for specific targets based on traffic conditions, ensuring that high-priority targets receive adequate attention even at high rotation speeds.
2Reliability
If dedicated time periods are allocated to different interrogation modes (AC, RC, IFF, SSR) and sequenced alternately, then each mode receives guaranteed time slots, but the overall radar time utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interrogation tasks by priority levels rather than by mode types. High-priority targets (such as those in military modes or requiring immediate attention) are served first within each antenna beam position, followed by lower-priority targets. This segmentation allows flexible switching between modes without requiring dedicated time periods for each, thereby improving overall time utilization while maintaining reliable coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the sequence and duration of different interrogation modes based on real-time target priorities and traffic conditions. Rather than following a fixed alternating sequence, the radar adapts its interrogation schedule continuously, allocating more time to high-priority modes when needed and reducing time for lower-priority modes, thus optimizing both reliability and productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of aircraft in the monitored area increases, then the air traffic control capability is improved, but the time management complexity and difficulty of optimizing radar time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a priority parameter for each target that dynamically changes based on factors such as target type, traffic density, and operational requirements. The radar system uses these priority parameters to automatically adjust interrogation timing and duration, reducing the manual time management complexity that would otherwise increase with the number of aircraft. The system handles high-density traffic by automatically prioritizing critical targets rather than requiring complex manual scheduling.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the sequencing of information exchanges between a secondary radar and the aircraft that it supervises. The invention relates to a method for the real-time management and sequencing of information exchanges between a secondary radar and a plurality of aircraft, the exchanges between the radar and a given aircraft being made, based on the aircraft in question, either in an unselective interrogation mode (SSR, IFF or "AII CaN"), or in a selective interrogation mode (RoII CaN). According to said method, the information exchanges in unselective interrogation modes are carried out during consecutive periods specifically allocated to said modes, while each transaction defining a selective mode information exchange between the radar and a given aircraft is time-interleaved in unused time intervals within periods by the interrogation-response tasks in an unselective mode. The invention can be used in secondary radars exclusively dedicated to civilian air traffic control as well as in secondary radars dedicated to mixed tasks for civilian and military aircraft control.