摘要:

The paper commences with a short description of the current methods of exercising air traffic control and attempts to bring out those problems, both current and future, which might be solved or eased by the application of electronic data processing and improved methods of data transfer.A review is then made of the new techniques and systems most likely to satisfy these requirements, and the manner in which the techniques described in the associated papers fit into the overall picture. Some indication is given of the extent to which these techniques have been or are being evaluated. The techniques examined will be those associated with the transmission of data, its storage, processing and display.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0001

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The present organization of air traffic control is briefly described, and its limitations are mentioned. A survey and some details are given of an electronic computing system, specially developed to meet the requirements of air traffic control.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0002

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The paper reviews the principal elements and functions of an experimental electronic data processing system for the Oceanic Area Control Centre, and indicates their relation to existing methods of control at the Centre, which are briefly outlined. A stored-programme transistor computer maintains an electronic file of flight progress data on up to 100 aircraft, and is connected to a number of keyboard and teleprinter units for input or output of data and interrogation by controllers. In the interest of flexibility, all functions of the system are specified in detail, and may be changed at will by conventional computer programming techniques. These functions include automatic print-out of flight progress strips and automatic identification of overdue position reports and potentially conflicting flight paths.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0003

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The paper describes an automatic position-finding system for aircraft, making use of the signals radiated in the course of ordinary communication with the ground, and not requiring any special equipment in the air. A network of automatic direction-finders on the ground feeds bearings to a control centre where they are displayed virtually instantaneously on a map.The operational requirements which have influenced the development of the system are discussed, and a brief reference to the history of position-finding by d.f. triangulation is followed by an account of the main technical features of the present system, with particular reference to the method of bearing transmission to the control centre and the problems of display.A practical approach to the planning of d.f. triangulation networks for specified accuracy and coverage is described, followed by details of some systems which have gone into service and of the methods used in testing them on signals from aircraft. Typical results are given.The paper concludes with an indication of the need for further development of display methods.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0004

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The system provides means for the automatic detection, extraction and digital encoding of the search plot data available from 2-dimensional radar equipments. Conversion from polar to Cartesian co-ordinates is effected, and the encoded Cartesian plot data are transmitted for remote use over long distances using a single telephone circuit. Full radar accuracy, resolution and data are maintained. The local or remote coded plot data are suitable for decoding and display or for direct insertion into a digital computer programmed for filtering, plot correlations into tracks, etc.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0007

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Improved accuracy of radar data coupled with the advent of digital data handling methods and improved communication facilities via digital ground/air data links could enable a major step forward to made in the field of detailed flight control of aircraft.The paper examines in detail the requirements which already exist and are foreseen for flight control and indicates some of the advantages to be gained from it. A review follows of how digital data processing techniques can be applied to solve many of the problems. An indication is given of the relationship and optimum balance between man and machine. Finally information is given on the accuracy which can be expected from an up-to-date system.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0008

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Two alternative approaches to the problem of converting radar signals into a form suitable for use in digital computers are considered and the problems discussed. One is automatic extraction and track production, and the other is manual, but based on the use of computer aids to enhance the operator's efficiency and reliability. Possible solutions are outlined and some difficulties which need to be overcome are explained.The two methods are then compared from the point of view of a potential user and it is shown that, when reasonably developed, each method has advantages. The relative advantages of the two approaches show up differently under different requirements and the choice must therefore be made in the light of a particular set of present and future requirements.It is also suggested that the choice is not always clear-cut. Automatic tracking systems may need human assistance in some circumstances and manual systems may be successively more assisted by a computer.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0009

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

An account is given of a system for accepting extracted radar and associated information stored in either digital or analogue form and for displaying it on a cathode-ray tube as a plaque of characters marking the plan position of each track relative to an overlay or video map. A vector is added to denote the velocity and direction of each track.The characters are produced as brightened dots on a small raster centred on the track position. A good definition of character is achieved by a selection from 9×7 such dots per character.The all-transistor pattern-generator described in the paper uses digital techniques throughout and has ferrite-core storage. Experience with this generator shows that a 2 Mc/s element rate is suitable. Each track can be displayed in 360 microsec and hence 280 tracks can be displayed with a 10 c/s repetition rate.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0010

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The development of data handling systems has demanded a rapid and accurate means of extracting radar data from p.p.i. displays. Possible systems include the use of mechanical aids, such as pantographs, and of electronically produced markers on the p.p.i. display which are capable of being positioned independently of the radar data. A fixed-coil display system using the latter method is described.The system uses a centrally generated linear time-base which is resolved into sine and cosine components to produce the trace on a display in the direction of look of the aerial system. Each display console can accept two voltage inputs in each of the orthogonal co-ordinates, and a diode clamp switch is used to feed each in turn to the deflection amplifier and coils. These inputs normally accept the time-base and inter-trace marker input. To obtain accurate registration between the marks produced on the cathode-ray-tube face by equal voltages fed to the two inputs, d.c. level setting and gain equalization are needed. As an example of the use of the display system, the tracker's display of an experimental data extraction system is described.One of the most intractable problems met was ‘spot wander’. This name is given to the effect where an inter-trace marker, positioned by steady deflection voltages, moves in position on the cathode-ray tube in sympathy with the deflection waveform fed to the other input of the console. Several causes were discovered and the effect was reduced to acceptable levels. Further development work to improve the accuracy of the system has been carried out. To achieve accuracy of registration an automatic zero control system is used, and an overall stability of registration at zero voltage of 1 part in 5000 has been obtained. A secondary source of error was in the non-linearity of the magslip resolver circuit. This was of the order of 1 part in 1000. However, by means of certain circuit improvements a linearity through the resolver of about 1 part in 5000 has been achieved.

DOI:10.1049/pi-b-2.1960.0011

出版商:IEE    

年代:1960

数据来源: IET