1

The f r e q u e n c y of t h e c o n s t a n t a m p l i t u d e t r a n s m i s s i o n i s v a r i e d w i t h T h i s wave i s d i r e c t e d downwards t o t h e ground,

A reflection
i

time,

o c c u r s and some o f t h e e n e r g y i s rece'ived back a t t h e a i r c r a f t o n a separate receiving ae-ial a f t e r a c e r t a i n TIME DELAY, w h i c h i s

p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e h e i g h t of t h e a i r c r a f t a b o v e t h e g r o u n d ,

r
- ..5... :...
! ,

A -FREQUENCY DIFFERENCE ( d f ) w i l l e x i s t between t h e i n s t a n t a n e o u s

v a l u e s of t r a n s m i t t e d f r e q u e n c y and r e c e i v e d f r e q u e n c y ,

T h i s frequency

; d i f f e r e n c e ( d f ) w i l l b e p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e h e i g h t of t h e a i r c r a f t

-J
. ;

a b o v e t h e g r o u n d , and c a n b e measured t o i n d i c a t e h e i g h t .
.'
i

C
:x:f:\;;;

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p\,cL;\\\cv..cL,

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I n p r a c t i c e t h e t r a n s m i t t e r f r e q u e n c y i s v a r i e d f r o m f max t o f min ( a f r e q u e n c y r a n g e of B ) , a c e r t a i n number of t i m e s p e r s e c o n d a t t h e M o d u l a t i n g F r e q u e n c y N. Note t h e t r a n s m i t t e d f r e q u e n c y would

__
-

c o v e r two e x c u r s i o n s o f B i n one m o d u l a t i n g c y c l e .
f-----------I

The f r e q u e n c y d i f f e r e n c e df between t h e i n s t a n t a n e o u s v a l u e s o f

t r a n s m i t t e d and r e c e i v e d f r e q u e n c i e s w i l l be e q u a l t o : RATE - -1.

,
.-

F CHANGE -O - - ----

OF .--

FREQUEKY. x

TIME

DELAY

- - .'- .

R a t e o f Change o f Frequency I f h i g h e s t T f r e q u e n c y = f max and l o w e s t TX f r e q u e n c y X t h e n f max - f min = B,

= f min,

I f T f r e q u e n c y i s v a r i e d N t i m e s p e r second t h e n X

RATE
2.

O F

CHANGE

OF

FREQUENCY

2 NB HZ.

I f a i r c r a f t is a t h e i g h t H f e e t t h e n t h e t i m e f o r a n EM wave 2H t o r e a c h t h e g r o u n d and r e t u r n = -

THE

DIFFERENCE FREQUENCY df

I n g e n e r a l t h e s h a p e o f t h e modulation may be a p p r o x i m a t e l y

I t w i l l be noted t h a t t h e g r a p h of d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y ( d f ) f a l l s t o zero a t certain t i m e s , However, most of t h e t i m e a r e a s o n a b l y

s t e a d y v a l u e of d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y i s m a i n t a i n e d , r e s u l t i n g i n a n a v e r a g e v a l u e of d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y t h a b i s p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e h e i g h t of t h e a i r c r a f t , o v e r a number of c y c l e s of m o d u l a t i o n , p r a c t i c e t h e r e q u i r e d f r e q u e n c y modulation w i l l be produced by a Mechanica 1 Modulation s y s tem. I n p r a c t i c e t h e r e w i l l be a c e r t a i n " A l t i t u d e Constant" i n r e l a t i o n t o an a l t i m e t e r switched t o a p a r t i c u l a r range. i n "Hertz/Footl'. This c o n s t a n t is quoted In

T h i s shows t h a t f o r e v e r y o n e f o o t change of a l t i t u d e

t h e d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y changes by s o many H e r t z .

'c $

INSTALLATION

DIAGRAM

/?

I NSTALLATI ON
A r a d i o a l t i m e t e r must be c a l i b r a t e d w i t h p a r t i c u l a r r e f e r e n c e t o

t h e a i r c r a f t i n s t a l l a t i o n i n t o which i t i s t o b e f i t t e d .

The

c a l i b r a t i o n t a k e s i n t o a c c o u n t t h e "RESIDUAT, ALTITUDE" f o r t h e p a r t i c u l a r a i r c r a f t , r e l a t i n g t o t h e l e n g t h of t h e f e e d e r c a b l e s and s i t i n g of a e r i a l s and t y p e of a i r c r a f t .

FUNCTION

O F

THE

UNITS

G e n e r a t e s FM/CW a t t h e r e q u i r e d f r e q u e n c y ( 4 , 3 0 0 MHz

+ -

50 MHz).

R e c e i v e s t h e r e t u r n from t h e g r o u n d , d e t e c t s ,

a m p l i f i e s and m e a s u r e s t h e d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y , g i v e s a n output t o drive t h e a l t i t u d e indicator. f l a g alarm output. Altitude Indicator I n d i c a t e s r a d i o a l t i t u d e by means of a n e e d l e p o i n t e r . P r o v i d e s S e l f T e s t (CONFIDENCE) s w i t c h i n g and MDA (Minimum Decision Altitude) s e t t i n g . Horn A e r i a l s T r a n s m i t and r e c e i v e b r o a d l y d i r e c t i o n a l r a d i a t i o n t o a n d from t h e ground. Also provides

P r o v i d e s a f i x e d t i m e d e l a y between t h e t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v i n g a e r i a l s , t o e n a b l e a s e l f test ( c o n f i d e n c e ) check t o be c a r r i e d o u t .

Residual Altitude ( A i r c r a f t I n s t a l l a t i o n ~ e l a y )
1

- -~. i-p m ~ iripti ~ l i izc k ~ r c r . f

4-

1lst.mPn-t. f n r r~.sirj_Ua-1 l t . i t . ~ ~ d e ava.ries w

%is

:A e x z z ~ 3 . 1 ~ ~ 23,,SA-2, c
nw

cLL

2-

A s e t zero potentiometer on f r o n t of T i s a d j u s t e d i n R t h e workshop s o a s t h e i n d i c a t o r reads zero f e e t when t h e r e s i d u a l height frequency i s i n j e c t e d . The required frequency i s t h e d i f f e r e n c e frequency when t h e a i r c r a f t touches down and i s found during f l i g h t t r i a l s . For a Trident t h e r e s i d u a l h e i g h t frequency i s 1.55 kHz.

\
J

A jumper l e a d i n t h e r e a r connector allows one of t h r e e height s e t t i n g s :f e e t . To make up t h e c o r r e c t A.I.D. t h e Tx and Rx cables must be c u t t o a p a r t i c u l a r length such t h a t
/

AIDfeet where

r4<
K

(Ct+Cr)
- - -

\
l *

P i s path length from Tx a e r i a l t o ground and back t o R x a e r i a l when a i r c r a f t i s i n touchdown p o s i t i o n . K i s t h e r e c i p r o c a l of the goaxial cable speed of propogation times 984 x 105 \ 4 6

Tx cable l e n g t h C r F k cable l e n g t h
Ct
For example using ~ ~ - 2 1 4 / iU t h e antenna height ( f

GP) i s

(i)

5 f e e t use 20 f o o t AID with 3.3 f o o t cables,

f o o t A I D with 10 f o o t cables, o r 57 f o o t AID with 15.5 f o o t cables. or - 40

( i i ) 20 f e e t use 57 f o o t AID with 5.5 f o o t cables.

A c h a r t i s given i n t h e equipment maintenance manual.

I
-

BLOCK

DIAGRAM

The t r a n s m i t t e r g e n e r a t e s t h e r e q u i r e d r e f . n o m i n a l l y a t t h e c e n t r e of t h e band i . e . 4,300 MHz. modulating frequency, e.g. The Mechanical Modulator o p e r a t e s a t t h e
300 Hz, and c a u s e s t h e t r a n s m i t t e r f r e q u e n c y 4,350 MHz and 4,250

t o v a r y between a maximum and minimum l i m i t e.g.

MHz, sweeping o v e r a band of 100 M z ( f ), H

1

The t r a n s m i t t e r f e e d s a b r o a d l y d i r e c t i o n a l a e r i a l p o i n t i n g downwards.
I I
'

A s m a l l p o r t i o n of t h e t r a n s m i t t e r e n e r g y i s f e d d i r e c t l y

t o t h e Balanced Mixer, where i t mixes w i t h t h e r e c e i v e d f r e q u e n c y from t h e ground ( f ) from t h e r e c e i v e r a e r i a l , 2

I

and f i s t h e n a m p l i f i e d , 1 2 s q u a r e d and f e d t o a f r e q u e n c y c o u n t e r , which g i v e s a d o c , o u t p u t p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e d i f f e r e n c e frequency v a l u e , d r i v e s t h e A l t i t u d e I n d i c a t o r n e e d l e movement. T h i s i s a m p l i f i e d and The c u r r e n t t h r o u g h

The d i f f e r e n c e f r e q u e n c y between f

t h e i n d i c a t o r is t h e r e f o r e a f u n c t i o n o f t h e h e i g h t of t h e a i r c r a f t .
T- a i r c r a f t ,

g r e a t e r t h e c u r r e n t t h r o u g h t\e

the greater the

ce f r e q u e n c :

the

greatejthe

ALTITUDE SELF

NEEDLE BUTTON

I n d i c a t e s h e i g h t i n f e e t above t h e ground. A p p l i e s confidence check t o t h e equipment. Needle should i n d i c a t e t h e s p e c i f i e d confidence reading.

I

TEST

F l a g should appear.

MDA

KNOB

Rota)es t h e MDA c u r s o r t o a s e l e c t e d p o i n t on t h e a l t i t u d e s c a l e .

MDA

LIGHT

I f t h e a l t i t u d e n e e d l e i n d i c a t e s a lower a l t i t u d e t h a n t h e MDA c u r s o r s e t t i n g , t h e red l i g h t comes on, warning t h e p i l o t t h a t t h e l a i r c r a f t i s f l y i n g below t h e MDA s e t t i n g .

FLAG

Warning f l a g a p p e a r s i f i n s u f f i c i e n t s i g n a l l e v e l is received, o r i f s u p p l i e s f a i l . a p p e a r s d u r i n g a c o n f i d e n c e check.

It

POINTER

MASK

Obscures t h e p o i n t e r when t h e a i r c r a f t is f l y i n g o v e r 2,500 f e e t and d u r i n g l o s s of signal,

"/ i
SELF

TEST

or

CONFIDENCE

CHECK

D e \ R t . , d

-,b

e \ ~ r 3:

C V L ~ ~ :

~ 1S1

~ c-*L.e

. t*,,' I,&-a

,-

t& v-

A means i s provided t o check t h e s a t i s f a c t o r y o p e r a t i o n of t h e

Radio A l t i m e t e r i n s t a l l a t i o n . provided on t h e I n d i c a t o r :

A s e l f t e s t o r "confidence"

switch is

when t h i s i s p r e s s e d , r a d i a t i o n from t h e
t

a e r i a l s i s blanked o f f and a probe i n s e r t e d by s o l e n o i d a c t i o n , i n t o t h e c a v i t y feed a t each a e r i a l . The probes a r e connected by c o - a x i a l

f i xed timedelay_a7

T-X-fe_e=-

t o t h e Delay Unit.

The D - r L D ; +

w i t h i t , s o -h a t now energy from t h e t r a n s m i t t e r t r a v e l s v i a t h e t --__

b

t o t h e d e l a y u n i t and t h e n v i a t h e RX c o - a x i a l back t o t h e
--

--

T/R t is --------- u n- i -- . -- There ----- t h u s a f i x e d known time d e l a y which w i l l always produce t h e - r e a d - g-- - t h e i n d i c a t o r . same * i n on
-_.___I___4

- - --____

the

--_-a e r i a l s is

__

\ not c h e c k e d 9

f i n s t aThet i"Confidence \ l l a o n and must

eight" w i l l be s p e c i f i e d f o r a p a r t i c u l a r

be known by t h e e n g i n e e r when checking t h e

CHECKp-FOR

STANDARD

OPERATI ON

Make a v a i l a b l e t h e a p p r o p r i a t e power s u p p l i e s , Observe t h e c o r r e c t a l t i t u d e r e a d i n g f o r t h e a i r c r a f t on t h e ground. T h i s w i l l normally be 0 f e e t , Observe t h e c o r r e c t c o n f i d e n c e

opera t i o n i s c n r r e c t -

O p e r a t e t h e S e l f T e s t Switch.

reading a s a p p r o p r i a t e ; and t h a t f l a
\

Check o p e r a t i o n o f MDA system by p - e s s i n g S e l f T e s t and r o t a t i n g t h e MDA c u r s o r from a h i g h e r t o a lower r e a d i n g than t h e a l t i t u d e needle. Note t h a t t h e r e d l i g h t i s

f i r s t l y l i t and t h e n goes o u t a s , t h e c u r s o r p a s s e s t h e needle. I f a 2 r a n g e equipment i s b e i n g checked, check o p e r a t i o n on both r a n g e s . P l a c e a n r. f . a b s o r p t i o n mat o v e r t h e TX a e r i a l a n d o b s e r v e t h e f l a g shows and t h e n e e d l e i s obscured by t h e p o i n t e r mask, SWITCH OFF.

Two s e p a r a t e a e r i a l s a r e used, one f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n , o n e f o r reception. E i t h e r Horn o r S l o t t e d a r r a y t y p e s a r e used.

The a e r i a l s a r e b r o a d l y d i r e c t i o n a l h a v i n g beamwidths of between a p p r o x i m a t e l y 20

_---

and 40

-.

C .

They a r e f l u s h mounted t o t h e s k i n of t h e
-

a i r c r a f t and a r r a n g e d t o r a d i a t e v e r t i c a l l y downwards.

--- - - ---

; 123c (3R

( 5;STIc;;u'
F~JSEL~~GE
+ *

~ZRCE

UNP~~ZS~DE

V I E W CF iAERia~s

The a e r i a l s a r e mounted w i t h t h e i r l o n g dimensions i n l i n e ( e a r a l l e l ) t o a- v o -i" d---c r o s s p o l a r i s a t i o n and t o g i v e a s l i g h t l y w i d e r beamwidth i n - -- - - _____------------. --- - - - -- t h e R o l l plane.

------

- ------

-.

___

&1n a i r c r a f t of a p a r t i c u l a r t y p e i t i s r e q u i r e d t h a t a l l f e e d e r a 3 s h o u l d be of a p a r t i c u l a r l e n g t h . Then t h e r a d i o - a l t i m e t e r (can a l l be c a l i b r a t e d i n t h e Workshop f o r a p a r t i c u l a r " R e s i d u a l

A l t i t u d e " ( t h e a l t i t u d e r e l a t i n g t o t h e f i x e d d e l a y of t h e f e e d e r s

t h e m s e l v e s , p l u s a d e l a y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e h e i g h t of t h e a e r i a l s a b o v e

t h e ground when i n t h e l a n d i n g a t t i t u d e a t touchdown, i , e . H o n p a g e l o 1.

-_I_Z

N o r m a - % i y - - t - h e - a e r ~ ~ t ioned between t h e main w h e e l s , i n which osi

"?
--\

c a s e t h e a l t i t u d e i n d i c a t o r would read 0 f e e t b o t h i n t h e touchdown and landed a t t i t u d e o f t h e a i r c r a f t . Should t h e a e r i a l s be mounted f u r t h e r

a f t ( t o w a r d s t h e r e a r ) , and t h e a l t i m e t e r i s c a l i b r a t e d t o r e a d 0 f e e t i n t h e touchdown a t t i t u d e , t h e n t h e a l t i m e t e r may n o t i n d i c a t e 0 f e e t when i n t h e landed a t t i t u d e ,

& F E ~

R laa L t ~ g S E L E C T ~ ~ A4 A L T SOSYSTEM S2

1/

Uses a triple altimeter installation with all three altimeters operating at the same time. The three aerial pairs should be mounted
0

for minimum coupling between the installation, i.e.

C

a ,=
l L

r 2 1
. .

:*
-2

----

a<oAit%
.

- - -4 -bTj

---

-- .

q -, + + p

,od~ba

~4-

pf

With m u l t i p l e i n s t a l l a t i o n s t h e Radio Altimeter can be p r e - s e l e c t e d one of t h e a l t i m e t e r s g i v i n g a read d i f f e r e n c e i n frequency between i t s the other altimeters.

modulation f r e q u e n c i e s of t h e t o d i f f e r e n t v a l u e s t o prevent o u t which i s d e r i v e d from t h e own Tx and t h e r e t u r n from one

For example t h e STR 4 0 has t h e following arrangement :~ A i r c r a f t I n s t a l l a t i o n Number Modulation Frequency (Hertz)

3
290

2
300

1 310

S e l e c t i o n of t h e modulation frequency r e q u i r e d i s achieved by means of a l i n k i n a f r o n t panel plug. .- ' . . .

g
4 8 6 C R;s(.h%
+

u t p u t s t o o t h e r Systems.

A s w e l l a s f e e d i n g t h e normal i n d i c a t o r Radio Altimeters w i l l provide o u t p u t s t o one o r more of t h e following :-

( i ) Ground proximity Warning System. ( i i ) F l i g h t Director. ( i i i ) ~ u t o p i l o t / ~ u t o l a n System. d

C(i . P. u. S . I

t h e number and s p e c i f i c a t i o n of such o u t p u t s depending on a i r c r a f ' t and equipment f i t . The output s i g n a l s w i l l be of t h r e e t y p e s

a d. c . analogue of t h e a i r c r a f t radi.o h e i g h t , fl !.ra-p t r i p s i g n a l s c o n s i s t i n g of grounded w i r e below a p r e s e e t height, Validity ( f l a g ) signal.
. ,

A-Jcysr\ C b l

\
-

J ) '! ( , h i )

\+&a\+
-

The doc. analogue signal is used whenever a system needs t o o n n + . . t n i ~ n i ~ s mnn-ttor radio heiRHt. l~

es, w e r l a v e

(i)

Ground Proximity Warning Mode of e

( i i )Autoflare computer which c o n t r o l s t h e f i n a l p a r t of an automatic approach i n accordance with t h e r a d i o h e i g h t .

The t r i p s i g n a l s may be used whenever-a d i s c r e t e change ... ~T 'c Y ~ a partlcwlaJ- r2ialo PlelgnLs * A s examples we have :1 .

3 .

(i)

Ground Proximity Warning : t h e various p r o f i l e s on a l l modes change a b r u p t l y a t c e r t a i n r a d i o h e i g h t s .

i
( i i ) F l i g h t M r e c t o r : the r i s i n g below a predetermined
i

4 E
k

( i i i ) Autoland sequence of events determined by r a d i o h e i g h t , Cpr ~ 4 % . / 4 ~ changes 3 1 % p l a c e a t d i s c r e t e heights. \a&

C%Q&--

4,

The v a l i d i t y o r f l a g alarm s i g n a l i s necessary f o r a l l t h e above non r a d i o systems which depend on r a d i o h e i g h t information. Typically on l o s s of r e l i a b l e height t h e alarm, normally a t 25V nominal, w i l l drop t o OV which would

u
I

/ (i)
J(iij

Shut down G.P.W.S. t o avoid f a l s e warning and g i v e p i l o t visual indication. Activate

AY WiI f l a g on f l i g h t d i r e c t o r i n d i c a t o r ,
if

to warning V ( i i i if aCauser eAutopilotbelowdisconnect and height. t o be g i v e n ilu occurs predetermined

It w i l l be appreciated t h a t t h e Radio Altimeter must be compatible with t h e systems i t feeds. P o i n t s t o n o t e are t h a t t h e dc h e i g h t analogue s i g n a l must have t h e c o r r e c t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and t h a t t h e height t r i p ? have been c o r r e c t l y s e t i n t h e workshop. There should be a procedure t o ensure t h a t Radio Altimeters a r e marked o r l a b e l l e d i n such away t h a t t h e i r output s e t t i n g s are known t o t h e A i r c r a f t Maintenance Ehgineer f i t t i n g t h e equipment. After i n s t a l l a t i o n f u n c t i o n a l checks should be c a r r i e d o u t i n conjunction with other, appropriately licensed engineers. F a i l u r e t o follow t h e c o r r e c t procedure could r e s u l t i n a c a t a s t r o p h i c incident,

The following e x t r a c t s a r e given as ex;unples of t y p i c a l r a d i o a l t i m e t e r outputs and non-radio system requirements and f u n c t i o n s i n r e l a t i o n t o radio altimeter. Note t h a t these are merely examples and a r e t o be taken as standards t o which a l l equipments conf o m .

rn

l l l n s ALL--30 Radio Altimeter.

7 .

--

D.C. -4nalogue O/P S i g n a l

0-500 f e e t 500-2000 f e e t
20 mV p e r f o o t 3 mV p e r f o o t

R e s i s t i v e Load Capacity

1 0 0 0 n minimum r e s i s t a n c e i n c l u d i n g indicator(s)
+20 t n + 3 X L c100 mA maximum

rT Iam,zg,6 ?!cs Y ~ r n . i

Warn Altitude Trips

o\l

20,uA maximum Shop a d j u s t a b l e , f a c t o r y s e t a t 200, 500 1,000 and 1,500 f e e t . , Output Tripped Untripped l . 5 V d . c . maximum 100 mA maximum 30V d c maximum 2 0 p A maximum

..

Marconi E l l i o t AD 2610 Ground Proximity Warning Computer. Automatic mode s e l e c t i o n a c t i v e between 50 and 2450 f e e t . A l l modes depend on r a d i o h e i g h t :Mode 1. Barometric s i n k r a t e D i f f e r e n t rates switched i n a t predetermined heights. T e r r a i n c l o s u r e . Depends on r a t e of change of r a d i o h e i g h t i. e . analogue s i g n a l . Accumulated a l t i t u d e l o s s . Switched i n by p a s s i n g through predetermined r a d i o h e i g h t .
t

Mode 2.
'.

Mode 3. Mode 4.

After climbing through p r e d e t e m i n e d r a d i o h e i g h t warning sounds should a i r c r a f t f a l l below a lower predetermined h e i g h t

Mode 5. Inputs .

Below g l i d e s l o p e . Operational between 100 and 500 f e e t radio height.

Analogue Arinc 552 A u x i l i a r y Rad. A l t . O/P. Below 480 f e e t Above 480 f e e t

V = 0.02h V = 10

0.4 h

+ 10 log

20

500

C o l l i n s A T 55B Auxiliary O/P L Below 500 f e e t Above 500 feet

V = 0.02h + 0.4 = 0.03 (h - 500)

10.4

- 4 i r t l t . y

Arino 552 --

F"l38 Alarm R 4 - A1

'-

- - - ---

l o / ~ -

V a li d

Invalid

18.5 t o 3 0 V Less than 3.5V.

Note - no t r i p s i g n a l s f e d from t h e r a d i o a l t i m e t e r t o t h e AD 2610 t h e s e a r e generated w i t h i n t h e computer from t h e analogue s i g n a l . o l l i n s FD-109G

3

F l i g h t Director System.
-

Hequlres

vauaity

signal

T r i p s i g n a l a t 200 f e e t D.C. Analogue of r a d i o h e i g h t See Collins. ALT.50 S p e c i f i c a t i o n . The l a s t 200 f e e t of r a d i o a l t i t u d e a r e shown by t h e rising run#way which w i l l be obscured by t h e F U N w ~ ~ ' f l aig t h e event of an i n v a l i d n 'signal

E l l i o t t S e r i e s 2200 Auto Touchdown Systern.:~4~\-\?' Analogue s i g n a l required t o progressively reduce g a i n of r a d i o r e c e i v e r (G1idescope)af t e r a i r c r a f t passes over o u t e r marker. Also a t o generate t r i p s i n ~ u t o e l a t Computer

Trip s i g n a l s ( r a d i o h e i g h t ) :140' Earth switched i n Rad. Alt. (i) Radio a l t i m e t e r i n t e r l o c k s switched i n t o a u t o p i l o t i n t e r l o c k l i n e such t h a t f a i l u r e of Rad. A l t . ( i n v a l i d s i g n a l ) subsequently causes Autopilot disconnect. (ii) Changes
ir,

response t o g l i d e p a t h s i g n a l s .

~ u t o p a t computed height. e ( i ) Preparatory functions performed

I

Earth switched

i n Rad. A l t .

( i ) Check t h a t 140' operation performed if not Autopilot disconnects. ~ u t , o - f I ~computed height. +a

( i ) Glidepath s i g n a l disconnected.

( i i ) T h r o t t l e closure i n i t i a t e d . ( l i i ) P i t c h demand maintains c o r r e c t descent rate

~ u t o f l a ~ ~ computed height.
( i ) Rudder s e r v o disconnected. ( i i ) Ailerons centred

Landing !

Note beforementioned t r i p heights and surnmarised a c t i o n s a r e f o r a p a r t i c u l a r a i r c r a f t namely B C 1-11 S e r i e s 500 ( ~ r i t i s h i r w a y s ) A ~

Collins F'Dl09/~~104 l i g h t Control System F See FD 109 G beforementioned.

--

The a u t o p i l o t AP 3 04 provides the nnntam1 flmctdsn a d - can be used, amongst o t h e r things, f o r a Category I1 approach i.e.
D. H. 200

V i s i b i l i t y 800
,

100 f e e t

400111 (2600

1300 f e e t )

An analogue d o c . s i g n a l i s requtred t o reduce r a d i o r e c e i v e r

( ~ l i d e s c o p e )gain with a l t i t u d e .

r'

Brunel Technical College

Department of Marine and Aero Electronics

RADIO ALTIPETER. TYPE STR 40

+n~-al
*
a

r'
. . . ........- - - -..
--w

The a l t i m e t e r equipment c o n s i s t s of a main a l t i m e t e r container, which houses t h e t r a n s m i t t e r , receiver, a m p l i f i e r and counter c i r c u i t s . This equipment i s a s s o c i a t e d with two a e r i a l s , each comprising a horn and coupling u n i t and switch assembly, i n t o which i s b u i l t t h e e x c i t e r probe and i n - f l i g h t t e s t switching system. The equipment i s capable of feeding one o r two i n d i c a t o r s and t h e appropriate c i r c u i t s of an auto-pilot. The t r a n s m i t t e r c o n s i s t s of a v e l o c i t y modulated c o a x i a l l i n e o s c i l l a t o r valve coupled t o a waveguide c a v i t y and operating w i t h i n t h e 4200 - &OO M hr band. The o s c i l l a t o r i s freq.modulated a t 300 by means of a b u t t e r f l y vane r o t a t e d between two c a p a c i t o r s t a t o r s : i n t h e c a v i t y by a synchronous motor. The frequency sweep of t h e o s c i l l a t o r i s adjusted t o 100Hz by varying t h e i n s e r t i o n of t h e upper s t a t o r .

..

..

.-.

ti

P
->

The o s c i l l a t i o n s generated within t h e c a v i t y a r e f e d t o t h e t r a n s mitting horn a e r i a l , which beams t h e s i g n a l t o t h e ground. The r e f l e c t e d s i g n a l i s received by a second horn a e r i a l and f e d i n t o t h e hybrid r i n g receiver. A small amount of t h e t r a n s m i t t e d s i g n a l i s f e d i n t o t h e hybrid ring receiver. The output of t h e balanced c r y s t a l mixer, connected t o t h e hybrid r i n g contains t h e b e a t note between t h e received frequency and t h e instantaneous tr-msmitted frequency. This b e a t n o t e has a mean freq. prop o r t i o n a l t o height. This i s amplified and f e d t o a t r a n s i s t o r i s e d counter u n i t , t h e doc. output of which operates t h e height i n d i c a t o r .

*-

A i n f l i g h t t e s t f a c i l i t y operates a plunger in t h e a e r i a l coupling n units which connects a known length of delay c a b l e between t h e t r a n s m i t t e r and receive2 t o provide a h e i g h t s i g n a l corresponding t o approximately 65 f t a s r e a a on t h e height iridicator.
Brief Description O f Units
A.

Transmitter - Receiver U n i t 30-LRU-20A The T-R unit i s t h e Radio Altimeter minus t h e a e r i a l system, mounting t r a y d e l a y and coupling u n i t . The o h p u t of t h i s u n i t i s f e d i n t o t h e height i n d i c a t o r and automatic p i l o t . Also contained w i t h i n t h e TR u n i t c a n i s t e r i s t h e a m p l i f i e r , counter and power u n i t s a s s o c i a t e d with t h e r a d i o a l t i m e t e r . The u n i t i s encased i n a c y l i n d i n c a l cover and i s p r e s s u r i z e d t o 6 - 7 pounds p e r sq. i n c h w i t h dry e n e r t gas.

T h i s a m p l i f i e r i s designed t o handle a very wide range o f i n p u t s i g n d l l e v e l s - over a freq-range of from 600 Hz t o 150 K ~ z . The s i g n a l output i s f e d t o the counter u n i t . The c i r c u i t includes a v a r i a b l e resistancci. element, a spurious s i g n a l c o n t r o l c i r c u i t , and an i n t e g r a t o r by-pass c o n t r o l u n i t . This i s a p r i n t e d board assembly of s i l i c o n t r a n s i s t o r s a r e used a s t h e amplifying element.

This i s a p r i n t e d board assembly containing s i l i c o n t r a n s i s t o r s . The u n i t i s comprised o f t h e counter, f l a g and s i g n a l i n t e g r a t o r circuits.

Do

Power U n i t 1b-L~u-364A The power unit provides all t h e power supplies f o r t h e equipment input. from a s i n g l e phase 1I SV o r 200V, 400

Hz

E o

Aerial &stem 1LO-LRU-12hA The a e r i a l s consist of two i d e n t i c a l f l u s h mounted horns, normally s t r a i g h t f o r mounting on h o r i z o n t a l surfaces. However, s q u i r t angled o r curved horns can b e designed f o r mounting on s u r f a c e s which depart s i g n i f i c a n t l y from t h e horizontal.
A delay l i n e , consisting of a length of s m a l l diameter c o a x i a l cable, wound on an aluminium former, i s connected between t h e two aerials when i n f l i g h t t e s t i n g i s required. The switch and coupling u n i t , l o c a t e d on t h e horn r a d i a t o r s , i s contained in a s e a l e d box. The switch unit connects in t h e delay l i n e , while t h e coupling u n i t matches t h e impedance of t h e coaxial cable t o t h e impedance of t h e horn.

F.

Indication The output from the counter i s f e d t o t h e landing i n d i c a t o r and t h e SoFoC .So Above 500 f t t h e i n d i c a t o r w i l l continue t o show f u l l s c a l e d e f l e c t i o n , b u t above 1000 ft., a t r i g g e r c i r c u i t in t h e counter u n i t s e n s i t i v e t o t h e freque;cy o r t h e beat n o t e brings a h e i g h t f a i l u r e f l a g i n t o view. The f l a g i s a l s o displayed i f t h e r e c e i v e d s i g n a l i s of poor quality.

A n i n f l i g h t t e s t switch mounted on t h e p i l o t s console c o n t r o l s plungers i n t h e a e r i a l coupling u n i t s t o connect a d e l a y l i n e between t h e t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v e r a e r i a l s t o provide a height s i g n a l corresponding t o about 65 f t . This i s displayed on t h e landing i n d i c a t o r a s a normal height reading. The check i s held 'on1 u n t i l PRIME LANDING i s s e l e c t e d on t h e f l i g h t c o n t r o l l e r , o r ( f o r ground use) u n t i l No.3 a l t i m e t e r power switch i s t u r n e d o f f . A l l t., n a --jime+-.er- s - - -e t-, e s t . ~ . ds mi11 t,meousl v bv t h e .. o w e r hr ,,* ,,, o 7 t , ar ~ switch. *

L.

Power Supplies The No.1 system i s f e d from t h e No.1 a,c. busbar. No.2 system The t h r e e from N0.26 a.c.sbusbar and No.3 from No.3 a.c. busbar. systems a r e i n d i v i d u a l l y c o n t r o l l e d by ON/OFF switches on t h e p i l o t s console.

RADIO ALTIMETER, TYPE STR.4 0

RADIO ALTIMETER TYPE STRe40H.

ALTIMETER SUB-UNITS

- CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

Thie unit takes t h e form of a waveguide and forms t h e transmitting portion of t h e assembly, Its primary function ia t o provide a frequenc modulated signal within the 4200-4400 ~ c / sband, and having a 7 frequency sweep of exactly 100 MC/S.
The s i g n a l s a r e generated by a microwave o s c i l l a t o r comprising a velocity modulated valve with magnetic focussing coupled i n t o a waveguide cavity. The resonant frequency of t h e b a v i t y i s varied by means of a double vaned b u t t e r f l y aaaembly r o t a t e d between f;wo capac i t i v e s t a t o r s coneisting of pole pieces mounted on oppoaitetin$3rior wall8 of t h e cavity, A aynchronoue motor r o t a t e a the vanes between the pole pieces, modulating the resonant frequency at a rate proport i o n a l t o the speed of rotation. ". t

. I

The frequenay sweep of the o a c i l l a t o r is adjusted t o exaotly 100 M C / ~ by varying t h e insertion of the upper s t a t o r , The four p o l e . aynchronoua motor r o t a t i n g t h e vanea i a driven by an o s c i l l a t o r L'.. and amplifier i n the power unit.
I

. t'. ;

The waveguide i t s e l f i e a brazed rectangular assembly having an a d j w t a b l e ooaxial probe f o r feeding a small amount of the s i g n a l t o t h e receiver, and a fixed loop coupled t o t h e tranemitter aerial v i a a aoaxial aonnector on the f r o n t panel,

'.

AVIONIC SYSTEXS (HEATHROW)LIMITED

f"-

BsDIO ALTIMETER TYPE STR,4OH.

CLASS NVE~OPE
COAXIAL. CINE RESONATOR

INNER COND.

SHELL OUTPUT
LOOP

CAVITY

ELECTRODE VOLTAGES SHOWN ARE RELATIVE TO THE SHELL OF THE RESONANT CAVITY

VARIABLE f RESONANT CAVITY FIG. 2.1

f -

.
.

HB. 1

A V I O N I C SYSTEIIS (HE~THROW)LIMITED

RADIO ALTIBElXR TYPE STRe40He

The reoeiver unit is designed to mix the received space-signal in such a w as to produce an output signal at a frequency w dependent upon the transit time of the transmitted rave.
The unit is a brazed aueembly mounting a P.T.F.E. bonded fibreglass sheet on one aide of which is a thin sheet of oopper foil, alae having a printed oopper hybricl-riiw~-,I12-,>r circumference with four printed transmieaion lines spaced 1/4 A apart. Fixed over one of these lines is a hexagonal resistive pad which acts as an attenuator to the arose injected eignal from the transmitter. This cross injected aignal is introduced into the unit via a cable to the transmitter,approximately 9 i . long, n designated 33-11RB-347Fe ' 7

The input to the hybrid ring is by means of a co=ial-to-microstrip transducer. The column is terminated at the front of the transmitterreceiver with a 50 ohm jack aocket set in an sir-tight sealing ring.
+'

t !

The outputs from the hybrid ring are fed to special outleta, =ach of which contain8 a crystal mixer element CV2154. The outputs of the crystal mixers contain the difference frequency of the tranemitted and received signala. The outputs from the hybrid mixer axma are applied acroes each half .. of the primary of a broad band 1 f traneformer Tl on the mounting unit. Aa the signals are in opposite phase, the winding8 of each half of the primary are in opposite eenae ao as to produce a signal which is additive in phase in the secondary winding. A graphite loaded corer protects the receiver againat stray raiation, and i" t' is attached to the assembly by screws into the seven spacing pillars.

RECEIVER UNIT, 3-LRU 147 F FIG. 2 . 2