Tweet
Radar renewal: Phased array technology could improve reliability, capabilities of air traffic control system
(Phys.org) -- Aircraft operating in U.S. airspace rely on several different types of ground-based radars to help them fly safely. Yet these radars, based on older technologies that use many mechanical components, require frequent repairs as well as costly periodic maintenance programs.
A research team from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to investigate alternative approaches to the radars that currently support the nation’s air traffic control and weather monitoring systems. The multi-year study is examining the feasibility of replacing that group of radars with a single system based on phased-array technology, an advanced design that uses solid-state electronics in place of many mechanical components.
As part of the NextGen Surveillance and Weather Radar capability program, one of the alternative approaches specifically being considered by the FAA is called multifunction phased-array radar (MPAR). MPAR has the capability to surpass current technologies in both reliability and ease of maintenance, said Tracy Wallace, a researcher who is leading GTRI’s participation in the study
more.................................
(Phys.org) -- Aircraft operating in U.S. airspace rely on several different types of ground-based radars to help them fly safely. Yet these radars, based on older technologies that use many mechanical components, require frequent repairs as well as costly periodic maintenance programs.
A research team from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to investigate alternative approaches to the radars that currently support the nation’s air traffic control and weather monitoring systems. The multi-year study is examining the feasibility of replacing that group of radars with a single system based on phased-array technology, an advanced design that uses solid-state electronics in place of many mechanical components.
As part of the NextGen Surveillance and Weather Radar capability program, one of the alternative approaches specifically being considered by the FAA is called multifunction phased-array radar (MPAR). MPAR has the capability to surpass current technologies in both reliability and ease of maintenance, said Tracy Wallace, a researcher who is leading GTRI’s participation in the study
more.................................
