Year: 1972

Authors: K. Prime, C. Bauer

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Authors: J. Charles, R. Johnson

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: Paul Caro

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: Robert Heartz

Abstract:

Simulation of radar Plan Position Indicator (PPI) displays is a critical requirement in training navigators, pilots, and bombardiers to identify targets and to interpret radar return signals from terrain and cultural areas. Present radar land-mass simulators use a transparency data base read by a flying spot scanner. This approach is limited by the difficulty in preparing the transparencies to meet the required resolutions and by the difficulties in updating transparencies to reflect cultural changes such as new bridges, large buildings, piers, and other features that are prominent in a radar display and that are key factors in training a pilot, navigator, or bombardier to quickly recognize his target and position.

The Digital Radar Land-Mass (DRLM) approach solves the resolution and flexibility problems. In the digital approach, terrain and cultural features are reduced to a mathematical representation, such as line segments, and are stored in a digital memory. A radar sweep is defined. Representative radar return signals are calculated, based on the digitally stored data, and then are displayed on a PPI radar scope.

An experimental laboratory model Digital Radar Land-Mass Display Simulator was developed and evaluated. Terrain and cultural features (boundaries) were represented as line segments, digitally defined and stored by the Cartesian coordinates (x, y, and z) of the line end points. Based on aircraft position, a general-purpose digital computer defines a radar scan area and transfers the area data lines to a high-speed core memory. This memory is read once per sweep (PRF) by a special high-speed digital processor that selects the data lines intersected by the sweep and determines the point of intersection. The intersections are then ordered relative to increasing ground range (the sweep profile) and applied to a video processor, which modulates the profile for radar and other effects (shadow, incidence angles, earth curvature, etc.), and develops an intensity modulated sweep signal that is displayed on the PPI. The system processing rate is a line per microsecond. Thus, the system has a basic capability of processing 4000 data lines per real-time (4-millisecond) sweep.

The PPI display resulting from the laboratory system is shown in Figure 1. This is a time exposure of a real-time PPI scan. The scan rate is 14 scans per minute. Aircraft altitude is 14,000 feet and the sweep range is 45 n. mi. The data base for this display uses 4000 data lines to define reflectivity boundaries of cultural areas; such as, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, etc., and to define terrain elevation features such as the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, etc. The data base also has 1000 data points that represent radar point source targets; such as, radio towers, buildings, ships, storage tanks, etc. The system allows complete freedom of motion over the data base in real-time. Elevation can be varied from zero to 30,000 feet, and the display accurately depicts radar shadow slant range effects, incident angle effects and shadow.

The conclusions of this project were : (1) the digital approach provides a cost-effective means for achieving the flexibility and resolution required in radar operator training simulators; (2) the ridge/valley and cultural boundary line approach provides a realistic three-dimensional real-time display capability; and (3) the line approach provides a significant reduction in the amount of data that must be stored and processed for a whole training mission.

Year: 1972

Author: Richard Braby

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: H. Wolff

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: Donald Reed

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Authors: J. Smith, D. Simpson

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: C. Blanding

Abstract: This paper does not have an abstract.

Year: 1972

Author: J. Regan

Abstract:

1. Configuration Management is not new, but merely a simplification, consolidation and modernization of existing management systems.

2. We live in a day and age of modern sophisticated equipment and our management techniques must parallel that sophistication.

3. Let us together understand, accept and practice this modern management technique to the end of producing and supporting training equipment in the most effective manner.