Publications

The Radar BEacon Transponder (RBX) is a ground-based facility used in conjunction with other elements of the Active Beacon Collision Avoidance System (BCAS) to control the threat detection sensitivity level of BCAS aircraft and to convey displayed Resolution Advisories from the BCAS aircraft to the local ATC terminal facility. This...

The Radar Beacon Transponder (RBX) is a ground-based transponder used to control the threat-detection sensitivity level of BCAS aircraft operating in high density terminal airspace. THe RBX is also used to deliver displayed resolution advisories from BCAS to the ATC facility. The normal DABS interrogation waveforms and message formats are...

Today's tactical military air surveillance radars generally operate in a stand-alone configuration. The many performance improvements that result when data from multiple radars of this type are merged have made such netted operations an attractive goal for many years. A major obstacle to achieving this goal has traditionally been the...

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently evaluating the Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS) which will provide increased air traffic safety in current and future air traffic conditions. In addition to improved surveillance accuracy and reliability, DABS provides a two-way data link between the DABS sensor and all DABS transponder equipped...

The purpose of this paper is to describe formats developed for transmitting aviation-related messages over the Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS) data link. Initial data link applications include: (1) Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) alerts (Terminal Area) (2) Takeoff Clearance Confirmation (3) Altitude Assignment Clearance Confirmation (Enroute) (4) Weather Reports...

This report describes the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Transportable Measurements Facility (TMF), a special purpose beacon interrogator patterned after the Discrete Address Beacon Sensor. This van-mounted experimental beacon system includes all ATCRBS/DABS reply processing and monopulse processing, but not other DABS processing. It was developed to collect data at various locations...

This document provides a functional description of the Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS), a combined secondary surveillance radar (beacon) and ground-air-ground data link system capable of providing the aircraft surveillance and communications necessary to support ATC automation in future traffic environments. DABS is capable of common-channel interoperation with the current...

This paper describes the technique of designing the network management coverage map files necessary to coordinate a network of DABS sensors. First, the concept of the DABS network is defined, and the functions of Network Management are briefly described, as they relate to the coverage map. Then, the rationale for...

In current ATC radars, high altitude targets are at a disadvantage when competing with low altitude undesired returns such as ground clutter and birds. The "zoom antenna" technique is proposed as a means of virtually eliminating this problem. An implementation based on control of multiple elevation beams during each range...

This paper provides information on site-associated phenomena that affect the proper operation of a DABS sensor and therefore warrant serious consideration when siting a radar. The DABS-related discussion is intended to be a supplement to the ATCRBS siting criteria presented in the FAA Primary/Secondary Terminal Radar Siting Handbook. The paper...