Abstract

DOE contracted with Sandia to install a radar acquisition system (RAMS) to gather aircraft flight data near the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX. To support this effort, data reduction tools were needed to help analyze the radar data. Plot-flight is one of several data reduction tools that comprise the Sandia Airspace Recording System (SARS). The radar data is needed to support the Pantex Environmental Impact Study. Plot-flight is a DOS-based plot program that allows analysts to replay pre-recorded air traffic over Albuquerque and Amarillo. The program is flexible enough to permit replay of daily flights either sequentially, by range, or by Beacon ID. In addition to replay, the program is setup for data entry. Analysts can correlate electronic aircraft flight data to the green strip flights logs obtained from the local air traffic control center. The green strips are used by air traffic controllers to record each scheduled flight. The green strips have information not available electronically such as aircraft type and aircraft ID. This type of information is necessary to accommodate the current models used in aircraft crash analysis. Plot-flight correlates the hand-written information from the green strips to the recorded aircraft flight. Document type: Report

Abstract

Abstract : The report covers the development of improved surveillance and communication subsystems to meet the demands of the automated NAS/ARTS Air Traffic Control system. Field measurements of the beacon interference environment were completed and studies to upgrade sensor efficiency were intensified. Effort toward the development of a discrete address interrogator with a data link was concentrated upon the core problem of designing the signaling waveforms for both up and down links of the system. Particular attention is being given to system performance in the interference and multipath environment, as well as to system and equipment compatibility with ATCRBS. The project to develop an airborne situation display of NAS/ARTS data has reached the stage for definition of an experimental system. The computer simulated cockpit display has evoked enthusiastic response from experienced pilots and traffic controllers. Preliminary work on the laser beam warning system for Logan Airport was completed with successful demonstration of the prototype hardware in the Laboratory. Document type: Report