RU2705855C1 - Active approach and landing radar system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radar ranging and radio navigation.

SUBSTANCE: active radar system for approach and landing of aircraft on the runway strip comprises ground equipment consisting of landing radar locator (LRL), and equipment on-board the aircraft, which includes an active microwave module, an on-board computer and communication means for transmitting for receiving a digital information from LRL, wherein the LRL comprises a digital radar module with a phased antenna array (PAA), communication means for transmitting radar information (RI) to the aircraft and a power supply, and the active microwave module has antenna-feeder channels, transceiving units of the probing signal and a delay line of the probing signal.

EFFECT: achieving the required accuracy characteristics by range, elevation and azimuth for aircraft automated approach and landing.

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Description

An active radar approach and landing system (hereinafter referred to as ARLSZP) is intended for organizing an automated approach and landing of all types of flying objects on the runway.

An active radar approach and landing system belongs to the field of science and technology, combining methods and means of radar (detection and measurement of coordinates) and a digital automated airborne control system.

Designed to organize the production of an automated approach and landing of manned and unmanned aerial objects on the runway.

The prior art.

Currently, the following basic approach systems are used:

- approach on the long and short drive;

-instrumental landing system (course-glide path) according to the signals of course, glide and marker beacons;

- landing approach on the RSP (landing radar), while the air traffic controller displays information in two planes on the screen - along the channel of the course and glide path. The RAP dispatcher, with a certain frequency, informs the crew about the distance to GDP, the position of the aircraft relative to the course and glide path, and sets a new course and reduction parameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The essence of the invention lies in the possibility, by a ground-based radar station, to measure the spatial coordinates of air objects making approach and landing on the runway, with an accuracy in range of up to 5 meters, in azimuth and elevation of less than 1 (one) arc minute.

As is known in radar, at elevation angles of less than 1 degree and range up to 2000 meters, there is a sharp increase in errors in elevation measurement, which is associated with the influence of the underlying surface on the receiving antenna radiation pattern. Algorithmic compensation for the distortion of the radiation pattern of the receiving antenna at small elevation angles is currently not possible. This is due to a large number of random factors: the underlying surface, runway parameters, weather conditions, ground objects, etc.

The claimed technical parameters of the invention, accuracy in range of up to 5 meters, in azimuth and elevation of less than 1 (one) arc minute, are based on the ability to exclude the influence of the underlying surface and other negative factors on the formation of the radiation pattern of the receiving antenna of the landing radar (PRL).

A design feature of the proposed active radar landing system (ARLSZP) is the presence on board an aircraft (aircraft), an antenna and a microwave probe signal receiver, equipment with a microwave signal delay line, a microwave signal transmitter-amplifier, a feeder path and a transmitting antenna.

A design feature of the radar (landing radar) is a change in the repetition period of the probe pulses. The modulator starts the microwave generator every second synchronization pulse, the receiver turns on from every first synchronization pulse and turns off every second synchronization pulse (IC).

A design feature of the principle of operation of the ARLSZP is the possibility of delaying, for a period of the repetition frequency of the IS, the probing signal, its amplification and radiation from the aircraft in the direction of the radar.

Observing the frequency of turning on the radar receiver, with each first synchronization pulse (IS), and turning off the receiver and the radiation of the probe signal with every second IS, we achieve the reception of a delayed microwave signal from the aircraft, without distorting the radiation pattern of the receiving antenna.

The use of the active bearing method proposed in ARSZP allows you to apply the optimal frequency range and achieve the required, for automated approach and landing, accuracy characteristics in range, elevation and azimuth.

The proposed ARLSZP scheme allows to repeatedly reduce reflected signals from local objects, which is clearly manifested at elevation angles of less than 1 degree, that is, to exclude the influence of the underlying surface on the receiving antenna radiation pattern in azimuth and elevation angle of the glide path channel.

Radar information (RLI) converted into digital, in the form required for avionics, is transmitted via a communication channel to the aircraft. In real time, the aircraft's on-board computer compares and calculates deviations from course, glide path, speed and issues control commands to the aircraft equipment.

If necessary, the vehicles serving the runway are also equipped with a simplified active system of delay and reflection of the probing signal, which will warn the crew of the aircraft and the dispatcher about the danger on the runway.

The principles of the device and functioning of the active radar approach system. An active radar approach and landing system consists of ground and air equipment.

Ground equipment includes a landing radar (RLP).

Landing radar consists of:

- digital radar module with headlight;

- communication facilities;

- power supplies.

The structure of the air equipment includes an active microwave module, an on-board computer (autopilot), and communication equipment.

The active microwave module consists of:

- antenna-feeder channels;

- transceiver blocks of the probe signal;

- delay lines of the probing signal.

The basis for determining the position of an airborne object are planar antennas with HEADLIGHTS. Antenna planes with PARs are located in the alignment of the runway at a safe distance.

The main operating mode of the radar station: vertical and horizontal scanning, a varying radiation pattern, sectors of view over the runway. In this case, the radiation of the probe signal is produced through the period of the synchronized pulse, i.e. every second pulse of synchronization.

The probe signal is received by the antenna on board the aircraft, is allocated in the microwave receiver, passes through the delay line, amplified and radiated by the antenna towards the radar. The delay line provides a delay of the probing signal for one repetition period of the radar detector.

A delayed, probing, actively amplified signal is received by the radar antenna, allocated by the receiver, amplified, converted and digitally transmitted by communication means on board the aircraft. The on-board computer, using the obtained digital radar image, calculates the aircraft location over the runway, compares the actual location of the side with the reference glide path, issues commands to the actuators.

The RLP does not calculate the location of the location object in space, does not display the coordinates of the glide path on the monitors, but only issues the required digital radar information about the air object (range, azimuth, elevation, speed, etc.) on board the aircraft.

RLP is the primary component of the ARLSZP, in which the location of the location object in space relative to the runway is determined by the on-board computer (autopilot) of the aircraft.

The design feature of the ARLSZP is the ability of the on-board computer of the aircraft to compare the current location of the airborne facility with the reference glide path and directly control the executive mechanisms of the aircraft, to approach and land on the runway.

Advantages of ARLSZP:

- without the operational participation of the pilot, operator and dispatcher, organizes an automated approach and landing of all types of flying objects on the runway;

- upon detection of a dangerously approaching air object in the zone of the glide path, the system notifies the pilot, dispatcher of the danger;

- upon detection of aircraft and motor vehicles taxiing to the runway that create an emergency, notify the pilot, dispatcher;

- the system operates not only with the speed of the aircraft relative to wind flows, but also with the actual speed of the aircraft relative to the runway;

- The system does not require landing lights and runway lighting;

- does not require a powerful pulse of a microwave generator or headlamp, which allows to increase the life of the operation, between periods of maintenance;

- the possibility of using low-power active PARS, with a maximum detection range of 20 km and a detection height of up to 2 km, which reduces the size of the PAR;

- relatively low total power consumption;

- the use of a delay line and the amplification of the probing signal on board the aircraft approaching for landing, gives the effect of amplifying the reflected signal, which allows the radar to reliably and stably track the location of the aircraft;

- RLP is operated without an operator.

The implementation of the invention.

Given the widespread use of autopilots for approaching and landing airliners on runways, an active radar approach and landing system expands the safe landing of air objects in bad weather conditions and possible emergency situations.

In the alignment of the runway, if necessary, on both sides of the runway, in the ground version, a radar station with communication equipment is installed.

Aircraft are equipped with active microwave modules, communications. On-board computers are programmed to work with digital radar coming from the radar.

When calculating the time characteristics of the delay line, it is necessary to consider the delay time of the probe signal along the entire path of the active module.

Through communication channels, information on the direction and speed of the wind, meteorological precipitation, the coefficient of adhesion to the runway surface, etc. is additionally transmitted to the on-board computer.

During the approach and landing of the aircraft, the pilot is convinced of the stable reception by the on-board computer of the digital radar radar with radar and transfers control of the approach and landing to the on-board computer (autopilot).

Prospects for the development of ARLSZP.

In solving the problems of automated approach and landing, the first place is put forward the problem of reliable provision of high-quality spatial and temporal coordinates of air objects in the glide path zone. Without reliable information, it is impossible to organize a workable system.

The use of ARLSZP as part of the RLP and the active microwave module on board the aircraft allows us to achieve accuracy characteristics of the position to several meters.

Modern technological capabilities of high speed data transfer, calculation of the optimal glide path and transmission of control commands, allow real-time robotic approach and landing of the aircraft on the runway.

Instrumental control over the approach and landing, under bad weather conditions and the pilot’s disorientation, allows the autopilot to maintain glide path, an acceptable descent rate and an optimal exit of the aircraft to the start of the runway, with an estimated speed of descent to land the aircraft, thereby avoiding an accidental collision with the ground.

When implementing the technical feasibility of the optimal speed of descent within the glide path, the proposed system eliminates the risks of the human factor and, as far as possible, ensures a safe landing of the aircraft.

Claims (2)

1. An active radar system for approaching and landing aircraft on the runway, containing ground-based equipment consisting of a landing radar (RLP), and equipment on board the aircraft, which includes an active microwave module, an on-board computer and communication equipment for transmission for receiving digital information from the radar, the radar contains a digital radar module with a phased antenna array (PAR), communication means for transmitting to the aircraft radar information (radar) and power supplies, and the active microwave module contains antenna-feeder channels, transceiver blocks of the probing signal, delay lines of the probing signal. 2. The active radar approach and landing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the aircraft is equipped with a receiving antenna and a microwave probe signal receiver, equipment with a microwave signal delay line, a microwave signal transmitter-amplifier, a feeder path and a transmitting antenna.