WO1998057193A1

WO1998057193A1 - Combined air surveillance and precision approach radar system

Info

Publication number: WO1998057193A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/009247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles D. Lucas, Jr.; Jeffrey Nemit; Daniel Kikuta; Gary Kentosh
Original assignee: Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-06-11
Filing date: 1998-05-06
Publication date: 1998-12-17
Also published as: US5841391A; DE69836270D1; EP0988562B1; EP0988562A1; DE69836270T2; EP0988562A4; AU7565698A

Abstract

A radar system (10) which time shares the use of a common radar head (12) to perform functions associated with Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) systems, i.e., for respectively displaying information to an air traffic controller useful for tracking an aircraft's approach to an airport and then guiding said aircraft along a preferred glideslope approach to a runway. In accordance with a significant feature of a preferred embodiment, a common radar head (12) is comprised of an azimuth antenna (14) capable of using radar beams to scan, e.g., electronically, a subsidiary scan arc, i.e., less than + 90 degrees, mounted on a rotational scan apparatus that directs said radar beams within a principal scan arc, a full circle (360 degrees), by continuously rotating, e.g., mechanically, said azimuth antenna (14) at an essentially constant rate. By periodically advancing, preferably electronically, the emission direction of the rotating azimuth antenna (14), time periods are allocated that can be used to individually permit both ASR and PAR emissions to occur at one or more common rotational positions.

Description

TITLE: COMBINED AIR SURVEILLANCE AND

PRECISION APPROACH RADAR SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to Air

Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) systems useful for tracking aircraft in the vicinity of an airport and guiding aircraft along a preferred glideslope approach to a runway. Air Surveillance and Precision Approach Radar systems are well known. Typically, once radio contact has been established with an aircraft entering controlled airspace about an airport, an ASR air traffic controller directs the aircraft until it is within the coverage of the Precision Approach Radar at which time the aircraft is handed off by the ASR air traffic controller to a PAR air traffic controller. The PAR air traffic controller then uses the Precision Approach Radar to direct the aircraft during the final approach and landing phase. Typically, the two radar functions, i.e., air surveillance and precision approach, are performed by separate ASR and PAR systems each having its own radar head and control electronics . The performance requirements for the respective radar systems are different and these differences are reflected in the design of the systems. An exemplary specification of performance requirements for typical ASR and PAR systems is contained in the following table: // // // //

// // // // //

// // //

Note that the ASR and PAR performance requirements differ in significant respects. For example, the data renewal rate for the PAR system is once per second (in both azimuth and elevation directions) while the data renewal rate for the ASR system is once each four (4) to five (5) seconds in the azimuth direction with a fixed elevation. Further, the ASR system requires coverage over 360° of azimuth to a range of 20 to 30 nmi (nautical miles) while the PAR system's azimuth coverage requires 20° to 30° to a range of 9 to 20 nmi. Finally, the accuracy and resolution requirements for the PAR are considerably more stringent than those for the ASR. For these and other reasons, it is typical for an airport to employ separate ASR and PAR systems. For example, an ASR system in a typical airport may employ an antenna comprised of one or more S-Band (or L-Band) emitters which scan in azimuth, e.g., by mechanically rotating the antenna at 12 to 15 revolutions per minute (rpm) . In contrast, a PAR system may employ an antenna comprised of one or more X-Band emitters which scan in azimuth and elevation, e.g., electronically, at a one (1) second repetition rate. // SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a radar system characterized by a common antenna for radiating a source beam useful to perform both Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) functions.

More particularly, a system in accordance with the invention is configured to scan a source beam through a 360° azimuth rotation around an airport site located proximate to a runway. During the principal portion of each rotation, the scan rate and source beam characteristics are configured to produce reflected beams appropriate to satisfy typical ASR performance requirements. During a subsidiary portion of each rotation, the scan rate and/or source beam characteristics are modified to produce reflected beams appropriate to satisfy more stringent PAR performance requirements.

A system in accordance with the invention suitable for use at an airport site proximate to a runway for producing data signals representing air surveillance information indicative of aircraft within a 360° azimuth space around said site and precision approach information indicative of the elevation and azimuth of aircraft within a portion of said 360° azimuth space centered on said runway is characterized by: (1) an antenna for directionally radiating a source beam in a first direction and for receiving a reflected beam in response thereto, (2) a principal scan apparatus coupled to said antenna for scanning said source beam radiation at a constant rate through a principal scan rotation corresponding to said 360° azimuth space, (3) a subsidiary scan apparatus coupled to said antenna for varying the direction of said source beam during each said principal scan rotation, (4) a sequence controller for periodically initiating said principal scan and said subsidiary scan within each said principal scan rotation, and (5) a signal generator for applying an air surveillance source signal and a precision approach source signal to said antenna during a selected portion of each said principal scan rotation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment , the subsidiary scan apparatus periodically advances the source beam direction throughout the principal scan rotation. The source beam signal is retarded for a selected number of portions of the principal scan rotation, to allow a selected number of targets, e.g., 2, to be alternately rescanned using an air surveillance source signal and a precision approach source signal. The responses are then processed to generate data suitable for concurrently driving air surveillance radar (ASR) and a precision approach radar (PAR) displays with a single radar head.

In a further aspect of a preferred embodiment, the principal scan rotation is implemented mechanically, e.g., with a motor. In a still further aspect, the subsidiary scan apparatus is implemented with a plurality of beam emitters whose outputs are controllably phased to form a common source beam. In such an embodiment, the outputs of the beam emitters are collectively controlled to deflect the common source beam. The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

// //

// // // // //

// // BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 comprises a top level block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention primarily showing an azimuth portion of a common radar head for emitting radar beams and retrieving reflected responses suitable for essentially concurrently generating signals suitable for processing in Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) systems ,-

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of the scan path of a series of radar beams emitted from said radar head of FIG. 1 showing essentially concurrent emissions of ASR and PAR radar signals;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of an antenna comprised of a plurality of emitters whose outputs are phased to generate a resultant scanned radar beam;

FIG. 4 is simplified timing diagram showing that a different ASR waveform (selected from a set of five waveforms) is emitted during each principal arc rotation in an exemplary embodimen ; FIG. 5 is a simplified scan diagram (similar to

FIG. 2) for an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the subsidiary scan arc as implemented by a plurality of electronically steerable emitters in an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram of the scan arc for an elevation antenna implemented by a plurality of electronically steerable emitters in an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is simplified timing diagram showing the sequence of different PAR waveforms (selected from a set of four waveforms) emitted by the elevation antenna during each principal arc rotation in an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is simplified scan diagram showing the relationship of the PAR elevation scan sequence to the azimuth scan sequence; and FIG. 10 is a bit description of control words used by the tracker to instruct the sweep/sequence controller of the location of tracked targets. // DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is directed to a radar system characterized by a common antenna for radiating a source beam useful to perform both Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) functions.

More particularly, a system in accordance with the invention is configured to scan a source beam through a 360° azimuth rotation around an airport site located proximate to a runway. During the principal portion of each rotation, the scan rate and source beam characteristics are configured to produce reflected beams appropriate to satisfy typical ASR performance requirements. During a subsidiary portion of each rotation, the scan rate and/or source beam characteristics are modified to produce reflected beams appropriate to satisfy more stringent PAR performance requirements .

In accordance with the invention, a common radar head is comprised of an azimuth antenna which radiates a source beam therefrom in a beam normal direction and principal scan apparatus that scans the source beam through a principal scan arc of 360°, e.g., by continuously rotating said azimuth antenna at an essentially constant rate. Additionally, the beam direction is periodically advanced within a subsidiary scan portion of the principal scan arc in order to allocate time periods that can be used to individually permit both ASR and PAR emissions to occur at one or more common rotational positions. A preferred mechanical embodiment of the common radar head is described in copending US application No. 08/872,899 entitled SELF CALIBRATING

RADAR SYSTEM, filed 11 June 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 1 is a top level block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention of a radar system 10 primarily comprised of a common radar head 12 (including azimuth

(AZ) 14 and elevation (EL) 16 antennas) located proximate to a prescribed runway landing point for emitting pulsed radar beams and retrieving reflected responses from a reflector (e.g., an aircraft, weather system or obstruction) , a radar head controller

18 for controlling effective emission positions of said azimuth

14 and elevation 16 antennas and synchronizing the emissions and processing of responses retrieved from said antennas, and one or more display processors 20, 22 and monitors 24, 26 (optionally remotely located and coupled to the radar head controller 18 via signal path 28) for correspondingly displaying ASR and PAR processed responses. The radar head controller 18 is primarily comprised of a receiver/synthesizer 30 for emitting and receiving a sequence of pulsed source signals, a sweep/sequence controller 32 for synchronizing the effective rotational emission position of the radar head 12, signal 34 and data 36 processors for extracting positional and velocity information from the reflected signals corresponding to obstruction, weather and target, e.g., aircraft data, and a tracker 38 for tracking the position of one or more PAR and ASR targets .

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the system 10 can readily be used to alternatively function as either an ASR system or a PAR system. If system 10 were to be used as an ASR system alone, the elevation antenna 16 would be unused and the azimuth antenna 14 would be effectively rotated 360°, e.g., mechanically, at an essentially constant rate, typically between 12 to 15 rpm, while emitting radar signals, typically S-band or L-Band. Alternatively, if system 10 were used as a PAR system alone, the elevation antenna 16 would typically scan an 8° arc while the azimuth antenna 14 typically scanned a 20° or 30° arc, both antennas emitting X-band signals and traversing their prescribed arcs once a second. A PAR only embodiment has been described in the copending US application No.

08/654,913 filed 22 November 1996 of Edwin Howard Reitan, Jr. entitled INTEGRATED PRECISION APPROACH RADAR DISPLAY, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, embodiments of the present invention additionally include structure to permit timesharing of the azimuth antenna 14 to essentially concurrently perform ASR and

PAR functions. In a preferred system 10, the azimuth antenna 14 is comprised of an azimuth emitter 40 having a subsidiary arc positioner 42 which provides the capability of scanning a limited subsidiary scan arc of less than +90° mounted on a principal arc positioner 44 that continuously effectively rotates, e.g., mechanically via a servo, the azimuth emitter 40 in 360° principal scan arcs (circles) at an essentially constant rate, preferably at essentially 60 rpm. In embodiments of the present invention, the sweep/sequence controller 32 instructs the principal arc positioner 44 via signal path 46 to rotate at the prescribed, e.g., 60 rpm, rate. Additionally, a resolver 48 is preferably coupled to the principal arc positioner 44 to provide a rotational feedback signal via path 50 to the sweep/sequence controller 32. Periodically, the sweep/sequence controller 32, in response to commands from the tracker 38, instructs the subsidiary arc positioner 42 via control signal 52 to alter the position of the azimuth emitter 40 within the subsidiary scan arc. Since the azimuth emitter's rotational position is a function of its controlled, e.g., mechanically, position within the principal scan arc (circle) and the subsidiary scan arc (the limited arc controlled by the subsidiary arc positioner 42) , the radar beams emitted from the azimuth emitter 40 can be directed along an essentially discontinuous path by causing the effective rotational position to lead or lag the position defined by the principal arc positioner 44. Consequently, both ASR and PAR radar beams can be emitted at common radial locations during each principal scan arc rotation. // // // // // // // // //

// // // // // // // //

Table I

// // // // // // // // //

Table II - Target at Sector 4+

The method of accomplishing this task can be best explained in reference to a simplified example shown in Tables I and II above. Table I shows an example in which each 360° principal scan arc (circle) is divided into eighteen (18) rotated, e.g., mechanically, 20° sectors (each allocating a time duration of approximately 1/18 second at a 1 rpm rotation rate) with sector 18 being equivalent to sector 0 and thus commencing the next principal scan arc (full circle) . If the subsidiary arc positioner 42 remained at a central 0°, i.e., beam normal, position, the emitted radar beam would continuously scan the principal scan arc. However, by periodically using the subsidiary arc positioner 42 to advance the emitted radar beam along the subsidiary scan arc, the effective rotational position (principal + subsidiary position) is increased. As shown in Table I, the subsidiary arc positioner offset periodically increases by a sector every 9 sectors. Consequently, at the end of 18 mechanical sectors (360°) , there would be an effective rotational position of 20 sectors (400°) . In embodiments of the present invention, this effective lead (40° in this example) is used to allocate time periods/sectors to perform PAR scan emissions. In this example, two sectors are used to perform a PAR scan emission corresponding to a single target. In FIG. 2 (viewed in conjunction with Table II) , a hypothetical target 54 (determined by tracker 38 as discussed further below) is shown located proximate to sector 4. ASR radar beams are emitted from a centrally located azimuth emitter 40 during a first arc portion 56 until sector 4 is reached. Commencing with sector 4 and through sector 5, PAR radar beams are emitted in a second arc portion 58 during the allocated two time periods/sectors. Following sector 5, the subsidiary arc positioner 42 retards (essentially instantaneously relative to its nominal section rotation rate) its current first arc position by two sectors (see path 60) . Emissions of ASR radar beams recommence at sector 4. Consequently, the scanning of sectors 4 and 5 (see path 62) overlap with those sectors previously scanned in path 58 in PAR mode. It should be noted that in the present example, the first additional time period does not actually become allocated until the transition between sectors 7 and 9. Consequently, the subsidiary arc positioner 42 causes the azimuth emitter 40 to lag its beam normal position. This will not always be the case and is a function of this particular example. When sector 7 is completed in this example, the subsidiary arc positioner 42 causes the first of its periodic increases. This causes sector 8 to be skipped as the subsidiary arc positioner 42 moves the radar beam one position toward beam normal. Similarly, the subsidiary arc positioner 42 again moves the beam forward at the end of sector 16, skipping sector 17. At this point, the subsidiary arc positioner 42, has returned to its beam normal (0°) position and the process can repeat indefinitely. (see Table III below which demonstrates this process with a PAR target located after the first periodic advance by the subsidiary arc positioner 42. )

Table III - Target at Sector 7+

// // While the sectors required for PAR scanning have been fully covered by the described method, it is notable, that a certain number of ASR sectors, i.e., sectors 8 and 17, have been skipped and thus two 20° gaps (blind spots) 64, 66 exist within the ASR coverage in this example. In contrast, a preferred embodiment addresses these gaps by (1) increasing the number of sectors per rotation and consequently decreasing the sector and gap sizes, e.g., to approximately \4° , and (2) defining a radar beam width sufficient to overlap sectors and thus provide some coverage to the skipped sectors. Preferably, the sector size and 3 dB beam widths are essentially the same. Consequently, when beam 68 reaches the end of sector 7 and skips over sector 8 to the beginning of sector 9 (beam 70) , only a small portion of sector 8 is left uncovered since the 3 dB point 72 of each beam 68, 70 reaches into sector 8.

Optionally, embodiments may periodically alter the absolute rotational positions of the aforementioned gaps by precessing their relative rotational positions. For example, sectors 8 and 17 could be allocated to be skipped during a first rotation, 9 and 18 (i.e., 0) could be allocated to be skipped during a second rotation, 10 and 1 on a third rotation and so on. Alternatively, a pseudorandom number generator could be used to select the allocated gaps for each rotation. Accordingly, the full ASR coverage arc would be covered, albeit at a reduced rate. However, since the ASR coverage arc is updated one a second instead of the required rate of four to five times per second, a preferred embodiment can easily tolerate a periodic gap in its sector coverage .

// //

// // // // //

// // //

Table IV - Target at Sector 7+

In an alternative embodiment, shown above in Table IV, the skipped sectors, e.g., 11 and 12, are contiguously located within each rotation arc. In such an embodiment, the overall gap, i.e., blind spot, size is larger. To accommodate this larger gap, one or more of the aforementioned techniques are preferably used, i.e., the number of gaps per rotation are increased, the beam width of the radar beams are increased, and/or the gap position is periodically precessed, e.g., each rotation.

In a next alternative embodiment, the subsidiary scan can occur at a continuous subsector rate. For example, Table II shows a system where the subsidiary arc positioner 42 causes a periodic movement of one full sector every nine sectors. Alternatively, the subsidiary arc positioner 42 (providing it has sufficient resolution, e.g., it was implemented as an electronically phased array of emitters) could periodically or continuously move at an effective rate of 1/9 of a sector every eight sectors.

Although, the PAR update rate (preferably once per second) is maintained by the described method, the quantity of radar emissions are substantially limited from that of a conventional PAR system which scans a limited, e.g., 20°-30° arc, during each one second period. PAR systems typically emit a sequence of different, e.g., 5, beams, each sensitive to different ranges, velocities and weather conditions. However, embodiments of the present system preferably use the ASR capability and/or the PAR capability of the elevation antenna 16 to locate and select one or more, preferably two, particular targets for PAR tracking. Once the location of the target (s) have been determined and selected by the tracker 38, the PAR radar beam emissions are limited to the optimum signal waveform to detect a selected target at its predetermined position.

In a preferred operation, the sweep/sequence controller 32 receives a feedback signal 50 corresponding to the principal scan arc position from resolver 48 and controls the subsidiary arc positioner 42 to implement the aforedescribed scan sequence. In coordination with the scan sequence, the sweep/sequence controller 32 instructs the receiver/processor 30 via signal processor 34 to emit appropriate ASR and PAR waveforms via the azimuth 14 and elevation 16 antennas. When reflected responses are received by the azimuth 14 and elevation 16 antennas, the receiver/synthesizer 30, signal processor 34 and data processor 36 portions process the responses to localize the position and velocity of targets which reflected the ASR and PAR waveforms. The tracker 38 selects, preferably in association with commands from an operator, at least one target to be tracked and instructs the sweep/sequence controller 32 so that it can centrally emit PAR waveforms corresponding to the current position of the target (s). Preferably, the tracker 38 automatically updates its current predicted position of each target for each sweep. While the simplified examples of Table II -IV, have shown a sequence of two sectors allocated to each tracked target, an exemplary embodiment (described further below) allocates three sectors for each PAR target with the current predicted target location corresponding to the middle sector. Thus, the predicted target location is bracketed by the emitted PAR waveforms .

In Table I, it was shown that the subsidiary sector position offset resulted in an effective rotational position of 400° each rotation, i.e., a rotation of greater than a full circle. Consequently, this additional rotational capability must be used each rotation to do a PAR scan to result in an effective rotation of 360°. Normally, one or more targets (corresponding to this additional rotational capability) have been assigned by the operator to be tracked by the tracker 38. However, this may not always be the case, e.g., no aircraft may currently be within the PAR tracking range. Therefore, one or more default targets are assigned by the tracker 38 when the aircraft targets are not present. Preferably, these default targets are MTI (moving target indication) reflectors, e.g., two, that are located at predefined positions relative to the runway. Consequently, the data processor 36 can process these MTI responses to correlate the reflected responses to the actual physical positions and thus automatically calibrate the reported detection positions. The azimuth emitter 40 of the present invention is preferably comprised of a plurality of emitters 74a-74n (see FIG. 3) that have phased outputs that are electronically controlled to direct its microwave signal output to scan through the subsidiary scan arc under control of the sweep/sequence controller 32. However, due to the limited size of the subsidiary scan arc, mechanical or electromechanical, e.g., stepper or servo motors, can also be used to direct the source, e.g., microwave, signals through the subsidiary scan arc. The emitters and associated drive electronics of the azimuth antenna 14 are chosen to satisfy the PAR X-band emission requirements. Preferably, X-band emissions are used for both the PAR and ASR signal emissions. This design choice also permits simplifications in drive electronics, i.e., the receiver/synthesizer 30 and azimuth 14 and elevation 16 antennas, in that common waveform definitions can be used to generate both the PAR and ASR waveforms. However, an azimuth antenna 14 that used X-band emissions in the PAR mode and S-band or L-band emissions in the ASR mode are also considered within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, X-band emissions are used for both antennas, i.e., the azimuth 14 and elevation 16 antennas. To limit interference between the azimuth 14 and elevation 16 antennas, two methods are used. First, the azimuth antenna emissions are preferably horizontally polarized while the elevation antenna emissions are preferably vertically polarized. Next, it is shown in FIG. 2 that a PAR scan window, e.g., sectors 4 and 5, comprises only a small portion of the rotation of the azimuth antenna 14. Consequently, if the elevation antenna 16 is scanned during portions of the azimuth scan outside of the PAR window, e.g., sectors 9-17, interference can be further reduced. // // // // // // // //

// // // // //

// // // The following describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that implements the previously described features .

Timing and control of the radar system is controlled for two antennas, the azimuth antenna 14 and the elevation antenna 16, at two levels by the sweep/sequence controller 32, i.e., at (1) the scan program level and (2) the waveform level. At the scan program level, a timed sequence of antenna beam positions is coordinated for each antenna and at the waveform level, a timed sequence of pulse transmissions is coordinated for each antenna beam position. The scan program and waveform timing is comprised of the following portions:

• azimuth antenna ASR sector partitioning and timing, • azimuth antenna ASR waveform sequence timing,

• azimuth antenna ASR waveforms,

• elevation antenna PAR scan program and waveforms , and

• azimuth antenna PAR scan program and waveforms.

// // // // //

// // // Starting Starting Starting Starting Mechanical Electrical Mechanical Electrical Segment No. Starting ACP Angle Angle Segment No. Starting ACP Angle Angle

0 0 0.00 0.00 167 18704 175.35 180.60

1 112 1.05 1.05 168 18816 176.40 181.91

2 224 2.10 2.10 169 18928 177.45 182.96

3 336 3.15 3.15 170 19040 178.50 184.01

4 448 4.20 4.20 171 19152 179.55 185.06

5 560 5.25 5.25 172 19264 180.60 186.11

6 672 6.30 6.30 173 19376 181.65 187.16

7 784 7.35 7.35 174 19488 182.70 188.21

8 896 8.40 8.66 175 19600 183.75 189.26

9 1008 9.45 9.71 176 19712 184.80 190.58

10 1120 10.50 10.76 177 19824 185.85 191.63

11 1232 11.55 11.81 178 19936 186.90 192.68

12 1344 12.60 12.86 179 20048 187.95 193.73

13 1456 13.65 13.91 180 20160 189.00 194.78

14 1568 14.70 14.96 181 20272 190.05 195.83

15 1680 15.75 16.01 182 20384 191.10 196.88

16 1792 16.80 17.33 183 20496 192.15 197.93

17 1904 17.85 18.38 184 20608 193.20 199.24

18 2016 18.90 19.43 185 20720 194.25 200.29

19 2128 19.95 20.48 186 20832 195.30 201.34

20 2240 21.00 21.53 187 20944 196.35 202.39

21 2352 22.05 22.58 188 21056 197.40 203.44

22 2464 23.10 23.63 189 21168 198.45 204.49

23 2576 24.15 24.68 190 21280 199.50 205.54

24 2688 25.20 25.99 191 21392 200.55 206.59

25 2800 26.25 27.04 192 21504 201.60 207.90

26 2912 27.30 28.09 193 21616 202.65 208.95

27 3024 28.35 29.14 194 21728 203.70 210.00

28 3136 29.40 30.19 195 21840 204.75 211.05

29 3248 30.45 31.24 196 21952 205.80 212.10

30 3360 31.50 32.29 197 22064 206.85 213.15

31 3472 32.55 33.34 198 22176 207.90 214.20

32 3584 33.60 34.65 199 22288 208.95 215.25

33 3696 34.65 35.70 200 22400 210.00 216.56

34 3808 35.70 36.75 201 22512 211.05 217.61

35 3920 36.75 37.80 202 22624 212.10 218.66

36 4032 37.80 38.85 203 22736 213.15 219.71

37 4144 38.85 39.9C 204 22848 214.20 220.76

38 4256 39.90 40.95 205 22960 215.25 221.81

39 4368 40.95 42.0C 206 23072 216.30 222.86

40 4480 42.00 43.31 207 23184 217.35 223.91

41 4592 43.05 44.36 208 23296 218.40 225.23

42 4704 44.10 45.41 209 23408 219.45 226.28

43 4816 45.15 46.4( 5 210 23520 220.50 227.33

44 4928 46.20 47.5 1 211 23632 221.55 228.38

45 5040 47.25 48.51 S| 212 23744 222.60 229.43 5152 48.30 49.611 213 23856 223.65 230.48

5264 49.35 50.66j 214 23968 224.70 23153

5376 50.40 51.98 215 24080 225.75 232.58

5488 51.45 53.03 216 24192 226.80 233.89

5600 52.50 54.08 217 24304 227.85 234.94

5712 53.55 55.13 218 24416 228.90 235.99

5824 54.60 56.18 219 24528 229.95 237.04

5936 55.65 57.23 220 24640 231.00 238.09

6048 56.70 58.28 221 24752 232.05 239.14

6160 57.75 59.33 222 24864 233.10 240.19

6272 58.80 60.64 223 24976 234.15 241.24

6384 59.85 61.69 224 25088 235.20 242.55

6496 60.90 62.74 225 25200 236.25 243.60

6608 61.95 63.79 226 25312 237.30 244.65

6720 63.00 64.84 227 25424 238.35 245.70

6832 64.05 65.89 228 25536 239.40 246.75

6944 65.10 66.94 229 25648 240.45 247.80

7056 66.15 67.99 230 25760 241.50 248.85

7168 67.20 69.30 231 25872 242.55 249.90

7280 68.25 70.35 232 25984 243.60 251.21

7392 69.30 71.40 233 26096 244.65 252.26

7504 70.35 72.45 234 26208 245.70 253.31

7616 71.40 73.50 235 26320 246.75 254.36

7728 72.45 74.55 236 26432 247.80 255.41

7840 73.50 75.60 237 26544 248.85 256.46

7952 74.55 76.65 238 26656 249.90 257.51

8064 75.60 77.96 239 26768 250.95 258.56

8176 76.65 79.01 240 26880 252.00 259.88

8288 77.70 80.06 241 26992 253.05 260.93

8400 78.75 81.11 242 27104 254.10 261.98

8512 79.80 82.16 243 27216 255.15 263.03

8624 80.85 83.21 244 27328 256.20 264.08

8736 81.90 84.26 245 27440 257.25 265.13

8848 82.95 85.31 246 27552 258.30 266.18

8960 84.00 86.63 247 27664 259.35 267.23

9072 85.05 87.68 248 27776 260.40 268.54

9184 86.10 88.73 249 27888 261.45 269.59

9296 87.15 89.78 250 28000 262.50 270.64

9408 88.20 90.83 251 28112 263.55 271.69

9520 89.25 91.86 252 28224 264.60 272.74

9632 90.30 92.93 253 28336 265.65 273.79

9744 91.35 93.98 254 28448 266.70 274.84

9856 92.40 95.29 255 28560 267.75 275.89

9968 93.45 96.34 256 28672 268.80 277.20

10080 94.50 97.3S 257 28784 269.85 278.25

10192 95.55 98.44 258 28896 270.90 279.30

10304 96.60 99.4S 259 29008 271.95 280.35

10416 97.65 100.54 260 29120 273.00 281.40

10528 98.70 101.5J )| 261 29232 274.05 282.45 95 10640 99.75 102.64 262 29344 275.10 283.50

96 10752 100.80 103.95 263 29456 276.15 284.55

97 10864 101.85 105.00 264 29568 277.20 285.86

98 10976 102.90 106.05 265 29680 278.25 286.91

99 11088 103.95 107.10 266 29792 279.30 287.96

100 11200 105.00 108.15 267 29904 280.35 289.01

101 11312 106.05 109.20 268 30016 281.40 290.06

102 11424 107.10 110.25 269 30128 282.45 291.11

103 11536 108.15 111.30 270 30240 283.50 292.16

104 11648 109.20 112.61 271 30352 284.55 293.21

105 11760 110.25 113.66 272 30464 285.60 294.53

106 11872 111.30 114.71 273 30576 286.65 295.58

107 11984 112.35 115.76 274 30688 287.70 296.63

108 12096 113.40 116.81 275 30800 288.75 297.68

109 12208 114.45 117.86 276 30912 289.80 298.73

110 12320 115.50 118.91 277 31024 290.85 299.78

111 12432 116.55 119.96 278 31136 291.90 300.83

112 12544 117.60 121.28 279 31248 292.95 301.88

113 12656 118.65 122.33 280 31360 294.00 303.19

114 12768 119.70 123.38 281 31472 295.05 304.24

115 12880 120.75 124.43 282 31584 296.10 305.29

116 12992 121.80 125.48 283 31696 297.15 306.34

117 13104 122.85 126.53 284 31808 298.20 307.39

118 13216 123.90 127.58 285 31920 299.25 308.44

119 13328 124.95 128.63 286 32032 300.30 309.49

120 13440 126.00 129.94 287 32144 301.35 310.54

121 13552 127.05 130.99 288 32256 302.40 311.85

122 13664 128.10 132.04 289 32368 303.45 312.90

123 13776 129.15 133.09 290 32480 304.50 313.95

124 13888 130.20 134.14 291 32592 305.55 315.00

125 14000 131.25 135.19 292 32704 306.60 316.05

126 14112 132.30 136.24 293 32816 307.65 317.10

127 14224 133.35 137.29 294 32928 308.70 318.15

128 14336 134.40 138.60 295 33040 309.75 319-20

129 14448 135.45 139.65 296 33152 310.80 320.51

130 14560 136.50 140.70 297 33264 311.85 321.56

131 14672 137.55 141.75 298 33376 312.90 322.61

132 14784 138.60 142.80 299 33488 313.95 323.66

133 14896 139.65 143.85 300 33600 315.00 324.71

134 15008 140.70 144.90 301 33712 316.05 325.76

135 15120 141.75 145.95 302 33824 317.10 326.81

136 15232 142.80 147.26 303 33936 318.15 327.86

137 15344 143.85 148.31 304 34048 319.20 329.18

138 15456 144.90 149.36 305 34160 320.25 330.23

139 15568 145.95 150.41 306 34272 321.30 331.28

140 15680 147.00 151.46 307 34384 322.35 332.33

141 15792 148.05 152.51 308 34496 323.40 333.38

142 15904 149.10 153.56 309 34608 324.45 334.43

143 16016 150.15 154.61 310 34720 325.50 335.48 144 16128 151.20 155.93 311 34832 326.55 336.53

145 16240 152.25 156.98 312 34944 327.60 337 84

146 16352 153.30 158.03 313 35056 328.65 338.89

147 16464 154.35 159.08 314 35168 329.70 339.94

148 16576 155.40 160.13 315 35280 330.75 340.99

149 16688 156.45 161.18 316 35392 331.80 342.04

150 16800 157.50 162.23 317 35504 332.85 343.09

151 16912 158.55 163.28 318 35616 333.90 344.14

152 17024 159.60 164.59 319 35728 334.95 345.19

153 17136 160.65 165.64 320 35840 336.00 346.50

154 17248 161.70 166.69 321 35952 337.05 347.55

155 17360 162.75 167.74 322 36064 338.10 348.60

156 17472 163.80 168.79 323 36176 339.15 349.65

157 17584 164.85 169.84 324 36288 340.20 350.70

158 17696 165.90 170.89 325 36400 341.25 351.75

159 17808 166.95 171.94 326 36512 342.30 352.80

160 17920 168.00 173.25 327 36624 343.35 353.85

161 18032 169.05 174.30 328 36736 344.40 355.16

162 18144 170.10 175.35 329 36848 345.45 356.21

163 18256 171.15 176.40 330 36960 346.50 357.26

164 18368 172.20 177.45 331 37072 347.55 358.31

165 18480 173.25 178.50 332 37184 348.60 359.36

166 18592 174.30 179.55 333 37296 349.65 360.41

Available Sector Time: Slot #1 » 334 37408 350.70 361.46

Available Sector Time: Slot *2 » 335 37520 351.75 362.51

Available Sector Time: Slot #3 » 336 37632 352.80 363.83

Available Sector Time: Slot #4 » 337 37744 353.85 364.88

Available Sector Time: Slot #5 » 338 37856 354.90 365.93

Available Sector Time: Slot #6 » 339 37968 355.95 366.98

Available Sector Time: Slot #7 » 340 38080 357.00 368.03

Available Sector Time: Slot #8 » 341 38192 358.05 369.08

Extended Sector Contains 208 ACPs , 342 38400 360.0 371.03

Table V - ASR Sector Partitioning The azimuth antenna ASR sector partitioning and timing is given above in Table V. The 360° of mechanical rotation of the azimuth antenna 14 is partitioned into 342 azimuth sectors using a total of 38,400 azimuth change pulses (ACPs) corresponding to the output 50 of the resolver 48. Sectors 1 through 341 each contain 112 ACPs while sector 342 is larger and contains an additional 96 pulses for a sector total of 208 ACPs. The angular size of a typical sector (112 ACPs) is 112/38400 x 360° = 1.05°. While the angular size of a sector is fixed by its ACP count, the time during which the azimuth antenna beam normal (0°) is in that sector is a function of the ACP count and the principal arc rotation rate of the azimuth antenna 14. At a rotation rate of 60 rpm, sector time 1 through sector time

341 are each 0.0029167 seconds in duration and sector time 342 which contains 208 ACPs is 0.0054167 seconds in duration. Of the

342 sector times, 334 sector times are allocated to the ASR azimuth scan program and 8 sector times are allocated to the PAR azimuth scan program as discussed further below. If the azimuth beam were to remain at beam normal during the first 334 sector times, a mechanical angle of 334 x 1.05° = 350.7° would be scanned by the azimuth antenna 14 as it rotates from sector 1 through sector 334. To increase the total azimuth scan angle to at least 360° during a single rotation using only 334 sector times, the azimuth antenna beam is additionally scanned ahead by 0.2625° every eight sectors using the subsidiary arc positioner 42. Since there are 41 whole groups of 8 sectors each within the 334 sector times, the beam is electronically advanced (scanned) an additional 10.7625° during the time required to scan 350.7° for a total scan angle (mechanical + electronic) of 361.4625° during each rotation period. Thus, this sector time allocation, in addition to scanning 360° of azimuth each rotation for ASR coverage, allows a total in excess of eight sector times each rotation period for tracking up to two designated PAR targets in azimuth (with 3+ sector times allocated to each PAR target) . In order to maintain the one second data refresh rate required for the PAR azimuth targets, the azimuth antenna's principal arc rotation occurs at approximately 60 rpm. Design of the ASR waveforms is constrained by the required detection range, target Doppler and available time-on- target. With the azimuth beamwidth (1.05°) of the azimuth antenna essentially matched to the sector rotation angle (1.05°) , the time-on- arget as the azimuth beam sweeps past the target is approximately 2.916 milliseconds. To increase the effective or total time-on- target for the ASR radar, a different waveform is transmitted on each of five consecutive antenna rotations. A total of five different azimuth antenna ASR waveforms (shown below in Table VI) are used to detect targets at various ranges and Doppler velocities. FIG. 4 shows the azimuth antenna ASR waveform sequence timing of these five waveforms with a different waveform selected each 1 second rotation period of the azimuth antenna 14. On scan 1, waveform WF2000 is selected. Waveforms are switched at ASR waveform switch point 76 identified as the start of sector 1 or 0° (shown in FIG. 5) . Waveform WF2001 is selected on scan 2, and so on, until waveform WF2004 is selected on scan 5. Following scan five, a scan counter (not shown) is reset to 1 and the 5 waveform cycle is repeated ad infinitum. While alternate ASR waveforms might also be designed to optimize performance in conditions of heavy rain, the waveform set provided in Table VI provides the required performance for the ASR out to a maximum instrumented range of at least 30 nmi in clear weather.

Table VI - Exemplary ASR Waveforms

// // The azimuth antenna 14 is implemented with 255 electronically steerable beam positions in azimuth as shown in FIG. 6. One additional beam position is reserved for the system built-in-test equipment (BITE) . Azimuth beam space is spanned by 255 beam positions number -127 to +127 with beam 0 at 0° azimuth. The beam step size is 1/8 of the nominal one-way 1.05° azimuth beamwidth of 0.13125°.

FIG. 7 similarly shows the elevation antenna PAR beam position numbering as implemented with an elevation antenna 16 having 255 electronically steerable beam positions. One additional beam position is reserved for system BITE. Elevation beam space is spanned by 255 beam positions numbered -127 to +127 with beam 0 at 0° elevation. The beam step size is 1/8th of the nominal one-way 0.6° elevation beamwidth or 0.075°. The basic elevation antenna PAR beam position number scan sequence consists of 27 beam positions with a half-beamwidth (0.3°) separation. This sequence is shown below in Table VII in the column labeled "27 Elevation Position Scan Program". For the short pulse waveforms (described below) , an additional 14 beams are interleaved within the basic scan program beam positions, resulting in a one-fourth beamwidth spacing for this waveform. These additional beams are positioned to be centered as closely as possible to the centroid of the closer of the two designated targets, while still maintaining the one-quarter beamwidth interleave. To illustrate the resultant one-quarter beamwidth spacing, 14 beam positions labeled EL-1 to EL-14 have been inserted in the scan program column centered at +3.0° elevation. // // //

// // // // //

// // //

Table VII - Exemplary Elevation Scan Sequence

Design of the elevation antenna PAR waveforms is constrained by the required detection range, target Doppler and available time-on-target . A total of four different PAR elevation waveforms (shown below in Table VIII) are used to detect targets at various ranges and Doppler velocities. The sequencing of these four waveforms is shown in FIG. 8^~. The PAR elevation waveform sequence is initiated by the sweep/sequence controller 32 at point 78 at which the azimuth antenna 14 is 90° prior (in a clockwise rotation sense) to reaching the ASR waveform switch point 80 (see FIG. 9) . At the start of the PAR elevation scan, waveform WF1600 is transmitted at each of the 41 (27+14) elevation beam positions. This is followed by transmitting WF1602 at each of the 27 beam positions, and so on until WF1502 has been transmitted at each of the 27 elevation beam positions completing the scan program. This elevation scan program of four waveforms takes approximately 0.447 seconds, so it completes at point 82 shortly before the azimuth antenna 14 rotates to the 90° position when the azimuth antenna is rotated at 60 rpm. While alternate PAR elevation waveforms might also be designed to optimize performance in conditions of heavy rain, the waveform set provided in Table VI provides the performance required for the PAR out to a maximum instrumented range of at least 20 nmi in clear weather.

Table VIII - PAR Elevation Waveforms

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Table IX - Exemplary Combined Mode Azimuth Waveforms

The azimuth antenna PAR Combined Mode (CM) waveforms are shown above in Table IX. In the combined mode, since the designated target's range and Doppler are determined by the tracker 38 based on the PAR elevation waveform track history, it is not necessary to transmit more than a single waveform type each rotation of the azimuth antenna 14 to accurately illuminate the target in azimuth as the target varies in range and Doppler. Instead, the appropriate combined mode azimuth waveform from Table IX is selected by the tracker 38 by observing the corresponding PAR elevation waveform from Table VIII which is currently producing the target return with the greatest signal/noise ratio. Since the pulse width and pulse repetition interval for a waveform uniquely establish both its range and Doppler coverage and since the corresponding waveforms in Tables VIII and IX have identical pulse widths and pulse repetition intervals (PRI), i.e., WF1600 and WF1100CM each have identical pulse width and PRI, it follows that for each pair of waveforms, targets detected by the elevation antenna can be detected by the azimuth antenna 14 using the corresponding combined mode azimuth waveform.

Azimuth antenna PAR azimuth waveforms in combined mode, referred to here as CM waveforms, occur for a duration which has been selected to be about 3.25 sectors which equals 364 ACPs or 9479 us. A single designated target therefore takes four ASR sectors to service which includes extra time for fill pulses when repositioning the azimuth emitter 40 to recommence emitting ASR waveforms. Alternatively, two designated targets or tracks can be serviced back-to-back for a total time requirement of 6.5 sectors (requiring 7 ASR sectors to include some extra time for fill pulses when repositioning the azimuth emitter 40 to emit the ASR waveforms) . The control of the two combined mode tracks is provided by two 16 -bit control words sent to the sweep/sequence controller 32 by the tracker 38 via path 84 as CM control words (see FIG. 10) . Each CM control word (one for each tracked target) specifies a 9-bit sector number, a 6 bit beam offset, and a 1 bit enable. The sector number corresponds to the ASR sector number which normally ranges from 1 to 334 without CM waveform tracks .

The operation of a single CM track is discussed first. Ideally, the center of the CM waveform should coincide with the point where the beam normal of the rotating antenna lines up with the center of the target in track. Since the CM waveforms are started on a sector boundary, it is only possible to do this with a granularity of 1 sector. To align the center of the target with the center of the CM waveform with finer granularity, the beam offset in the CM Control Word has been provided, which provides a range of -32 (-8 beamwidths) to +31

(+7.75 beamwidths) in beam increments. The sector number and beam offset in the CM control word can be selected using the following steps:

(1) The true azimuth of the target is subtracted from the true azimuth of the ASR waveform switch point (modulo 360°) .

(2) The result from (1) is converted to ACPs. [38400 x (result / 360)]

(3) Subtract 50 ACPs from (2) and divide by 112 to arrive at the sector where the center of the target will be.

(4) The sector number in the CM control word actually represents the last ASR sector before the CM waveform, so 2 ACPs should be subtracted from the result from (3) . The remainder from^' (3) can be used to determine the beam offset as suggested by the following table biased by 10 ACPs to compensate for the fill pulses immediately preceding the CM waveforms :

0-23: - 2 { - i beamwidth)

24-51: - 1 (-1/4 beamwidth) 52-79: 0

80-107: + 1 (+1/4 beamwidth) 108-111: + 2 (+^ beamwidth)

The sector number sent in the CM control word generates a compare in the sweep/sequence controller 32 which causes the CM waveform to begin on the next sector boundary. This last ASR sector is allowed to complete with a full set of PRIs irrespective of the start of the next sector which will start the CM waveform, so this adds as much as a PRI of uncertainty as to when the CM waveform actually begins following the sector boundary. This amount of uncertainty in positioning the start of the CM waveform is minimized since the CM waveform is considerably wider than the azimuth arc size of the target and the ACP count combined with the beam number in the collected data will provide the required measurement accuracy.

After the CM waveform completes, the sweep/sequence controller 32 decrements the ASR beam count by exactly 4 beamwidths using the subsidiary arc positioner 42. During the ASR waveforms, the ASR beam count is effectively incremented by 1/32 beamwidth every sector so that every 8^th sector sees a beam increment of ^XA beamwidth, except during the CM waveform during which the counter is not incremented. The lower 3 bits of this counter are not used external to the sweep/sequence controller 32. Since the counter is decremented by 4 beamwidths following the CM waveform, the lower 3 internal bits of this counter are retained. Consequently, when the ASR waveforms resume following a CM waveform, the sectors within the scan which normally see a 14 beamwidth change are the same. At 180° from the ASR waveform switch point 76, the ASR beam count is positive by about 5 beamwidths, so the count will be reduced to almost zero following a single CM waveform and it could be negative if the CM waveform is started at an earlier sector. The fractional sector which follows a CM waveform, which is 3.25 sectors, provides for fill pulses for the ASR waveform at the newly established ASR beam number. The return to emitting ASR waveforms is not synchronized to sector boundaries but conforms to all of the rules of the normal ASR scan. The sector number (normally 1 to 334 if there are no CM tracks) advances by 4 during the CM waveform so other controls which use sector number (such as emission gates and test targets) must be compensated for if they follow a CM waveform. Alternatively following two tracks, the sector number increases by either 7 or 8. // // // // // // // // //

//

// //

//

// //

// // // // //

// // // Table X below shows exemplary pulse sequences for each of the four potential combined mode waveforms:

Waveform Number

000000 1100CM (4 fill pulses) 276 us

000001 1100CM (CPI A - 44 pulses) 3036 US

000010 1100CM (CPI B - 44 pulses) 3036 US

000011 1100CM (CPI C - 44 pulses) 3036 US 9384 us

000100 1101CM (2 fill pulses) 210 us

000101 1101CM (CPI A - 29 pulses) 3045 us 000110 1101CM (CPI B - 29 pulses) 3045 us 000111 1101CM (CPI C - 29 pulses) 3045 us

9345 us

001000 1102CM (2 fill pulses) 354 us

001001 1102CM (CPI A - 17 pulses) 3009 us 001010 1102CM (CPI B - 17 pulses) 3009 US

001011 1102CM (CPI C - 17 pulses) 3009 us

9381 US

010000 1002CM (2 fill pulses) 573.6 us 010001 1002CM (CPI A - 10 pulses) 2868 us

010010 1002CM (CPI B - 10 pulses) 2868 us

010011 1002CM (CPI C - 10 pulses) 2868 us

9177.6 us

Table X - Exemplary Combined Mode Waveform Sequences

The second track gate can be serviced in one of two ways: 1) separately or 2) back-to-back. Separate tracks consume 4 sectors each for a total of 8 within the scan, whereas back-to- back tracks consume 7 consecutive sectors total. If serviced separately, the same process for determining the sector number and beam offset previously described above apply. The sector number for the second track must be at least offset 5 sectors from the first. For a sector difference of 5 between the two tracks one ASR sector of collected data will be inserted between the two CM waveforms .

Since the beam normal position of back-to-back tracks are offset by about 3.25 beamwidths and the beam offset can range from -8 to +7.75 beamwidths, a track separation of 19 beamwidths can be accommodated with back-to-back servicing. Rather than selecting the first track to assume the beam normal position and the second to have a several beamwidth offset, it is preferred to balance the beam offsets between the two tracks and place the two back-to-back CM waveforms so they are centered about the midpoint between the two tracks . A procedure for doing this is suggested below:

(1) If the two tracks are separated by less than a certain amount (10 or more beamwidths) , process back-to-back, otherwise process separately as above .

(2) Find the midpoint between the two tracks in true azimuth.

(3) Subtract the true azimuth of the ASR waveform switch point from the result in (2), modulo

360°.

(4) The result from (3) is converted to ACPs.

[38400 x (result / 360) ]

(5) Subtract 50 ACPs from (4) and divide by 112 to arrive at the sector where the midpoint of the two targets will be.

(6) The sector number in the CM control word actually represents the last ASR sector before the first CM waveform, so 4 ACPs should be subtracted from the result from (5) . This value should be placed in the CM control word of the first track, and this value + 1 ACP should be placed in the CM control word of the second track. (7) The remainder from (5) can be used along with the difference (D) between the two tracks to arrive at the beam offsets. Convert the difference D into beamwidths, wherein: Track 1 0ffset=1.6 beamwidths - D/2 +

(table above using remainder) Track 2 Offset=-1.6 beamwidths + D/2 +

(table above using remainder) Since only 7 sectors are used for back-to-back track servicing, the ASR beam count is decremented by 7 beamwidths before recommencing the emission of ASR waveforms. In this case, the ASR beam number will most likely be negative but will turn positive prior to the end of the ASR sweep which will end with sector number 341. The A beam increments in ASR will occur at the same locations in the sweep as they would without the track gate servicing.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference only to the presently-preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. For example, while a scan sequence has been shown where a PAR waveform sequence is emitted prior to an ASR waveform sequence at their common rotational positions, one of ordinary skill in the art can envision the opposite or other sequences that result in an equivalent result. Additionally, while a structure has been described where the principal arc positioner 44 physically moves the azimuth emitter 40 to scan the principal arc, embodiments that use a plurality of azimuth emitters 40, sufficient to electronically scan the full 360° principal arc are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined by the following claims. // // // // // // // // // // //

Claims

1. A radar system suitable for use at an airport site proximate to a runway for producing data signals representing (1) air surveillance information indicative of aircraft within a 360┬░ azimuth space around said site and (2) precision approach information indicative of the elevation and azimuth of aircraft within a portion of said 360┬░ azimuth space centered on said runway, said system comprising: an antenna for directionally radiating a source beam in a first direction and for receiving a reflected beam in response thereto; a principal scan apparatus coupled to said antenna for scanning said source beam radiation at a constant rate through a principal scan rotation corresponding to said 360┬░ azimuth space; a subsidiary scan apparatus coupled to said antenna for varying the direction of said source beam during each said principal scan rotation; a sequence controller for periodically initiating said principal scan and said subsidiary scan within each said principal scan rotation; and a signal generator for applying an air surveillance source signal and a precision approach source signal to said antenna during a selected portion of each said principal scan rotation.

2. The radar system of claim 1 wherein said principal scan apparatus causes said antenna to mechanically rotate through said 360┬░ principal scan rotation at an essentially constant rate.

3. The radar system of claim 1 wherein said antenna is comprised of a plurality of beam emitters for generating said source beam and said subsidiary scan apparatus periodically deflects said source beam relative to a beam normal position defined by said antenna.

4. The radar system of claim 1 wherein said source beam is radiated in a direction dependent on rotational positions defined by said principal and said subsidiary scan apparatus and wherein said subsidiary scan apparatus periodically causes said source beam direction to lead said rotational position defined by said principal scan apparatus.

5. The radar system of claim 1 wherein said subsidiary scan apparatus causes said source beam to rescan a selected portion of said 360┬░ azimuth space.

// // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // //

6. A timeshared radar system comprising: an antenna for radiating a source beam therefrom in a beam normal direction and for receiving target reflected beams responsive thereto; a principal scan apparatus for repeatedly scanning said antenna through a principal azimuth scan of 360┬░ at an essentially constant rate; a control apparatus for deflecting said source beam through a subsidiary azimuth scan of less than ┬▒90┬░ relative to said beam normal direction during a subsidiary portion of each said principal azimuth scan; and a signal source for selectively applying a first signal to said antenna to produce an ASR source beam suitable for long range aircraft surveillance and a second signal to said antenna to produce a PAR source beam suitable for precision aircraft tracking.

7. The timeshared radar system of claim 6 wherein said control apparatus causes said source beam to rescan a selected portion of said principal azimuth scan by periodically deflecting said source beam during said subsidiary portion of each said principal azimuth scan.

8. The timeshared radar system of claim 7 wherein said antenna emits said ASR and said PAR source beams at said selected portion or said principal azimuth scan.

9. The radar head of claim 6 wherein said control apparatus electronically causes said source beam to be positioned within said subsidiary portion of each said principal azimuth scan.

10. The radar head of claim 6 wherein said control apparatus mechanically causes said antenna to scan through said principal azimuth scan.

// // //

11. The radar head of claim 6 wherein said antenna includes a plurality of emitters having outputs phased to form said source beam and wherein said control apparatus controls said emitter outputs to cause said source beam to be positioned within said subsidiary portion of each said principal azimuth scan.

12. The radar head of claim 6 wherein said control apparatus periodically causes said source beam to deflect in a first direction at an essentially constant rate throughout said principal azimuth scan.

13. The radar head of claim 12 wherein said control apparatus periodically alters where said source beam deflects in said first direction along said principal azimuth scan.

14. The radar head of claim 12 wherein said control apparatus causes said source beam to deflect in a second direction opposite said first direction for a selected number of times throughout said principal azimuth scan.

15. The radar head of claim 6 wherein said principal scan apparatus causes said antenna to rotate at a fixed rate of approximately sixty revolutions per minute (rpm) .

// // // // // // // // // // // // // // //

16. A method of timesharing a radar head, said method comprising the steps of: continuously directing an antenna by rotating said antenna at a constant rate along a 360┬░ principal azimuth scan; emitting a first source signal and receiving a reflected signal from a target; periodically directing said antenna to emit said first source signal within a subsidiary azimuth scan in advance of said principal azimuth scan to result in an effective rotational position defined by the sum of positions within said principal and subsidiary azimuth scans; periodically emitting a second source signal and receiving a reflected signal at a first effective rotational position corresponding to a prescribed target; periodically retarding a current effective rotational position and causing said antenna to emit said first source signal within said subsidiary azimuth scan following said second source signal emission, said retarding sufficient to reposition said antenna at said first effective rotational position.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said periodically directing step occurs at an essentially constant rate throughout said principal azimuth scan.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said periodically directing step periodically alters where said periodically directing step occurs along said principal azimuth scan .

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said periodically retarding step occurs a selected number of times within said principal azimuth scan.

// // // //

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said periodically directing step periodically alters where said periodically directing step occurs along said principal azimuth scan.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein said periodically directing step occurs by electronically altering phased outputs of a plurality of emitters which comprise said antenna .

22. The method of claim 16 wherein said antenna is mechanically rotated at a constant rate of approximately sixty revolutions per minute (rpm) .

//