AIRCRAFT OBSTRUCTION OF MICROWAVE LINKS

Conversion to digital transmission has renewed the concerns about what effects aircraft obstruction of microwave links have on user quality. This is of particular concern where it is necessary to install a telecommunication system that crosses runways and taxiways where the frequency of obstruction may be great. A limited measurement program at 8 GHz at Atlanta and Chicago Airports was undertaken to determine if a condition existed that could cause excessive error rates on digital systems. Measurements were made of the received signal level together with the impulse response of the transmission medium. Measurement results indicate that during takeoff and landing, aircraft can cause signal level fades to 20 dB. Modern system margin is usually sufficient to cope with such fades. The impulse response measurements at Atlanta did not reveal any delayed or distorted pulses that would indicate excessive multipath and frequency selective fading. However, slight distortion from taxiing aircraft at Chicago was observed. The implication of this detected distortion is reflected in the potential of a distorted asymmetrical frequency response within the 15 - 20 MHz passband of a microwave digital receiver.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored in part by Army Communications-Electronics Engineering Installation Agency, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Telecommunications & Information Admin

  Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
  Boulder, CO  United States 

  Army Communications-Electronics Eng Instal Agen

  Fort Huachuca, AZ  United States 
• Authors:
  • Skerjanec, R E
  • Hubbard, R W
• Publication Date: 1979-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 68 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airports; Blocking; Digital communication systems; Electromagnetic frequencies; Errors; Measurement; Microwaves; Obstructions (Navigation); Pulse modulation; Radio links; Structual distortion
• Identifier Terms: Chicago O'Hare International Airport; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Uncontrolled Terms: Attenuation; Obstructions
• Old TRIS Terms: Distortion; Microwave frequency; Mw line of sight communication; Pulse communication
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00192345
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NTIA/REPORT-79/14 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1979 12:00AM