Numerical and experimental analysis of a novel aircraft landing antenna system

A numerical and experimental analysis leading to the determination of the g eometrical design parameters for an antenna array utilized in the Portable Air Traffic Control Approach and Landing System, developed by the Sierra Ne vada Corporation, Sparks, Nevada, has been performed. Numerical modeling us ing the Method of Moments software package MININEC Professional for Windows was used to obtain the optimal heights above ground of the antennas of the array. The design goal was to obtain a glide slope of 30 for aircraft land ing guidance. The two-ray model and Fresnel zones were used to calculate th e longitudinal dimension of the region between the transmitting and receivi ng antennas, which is required to be flat and free of any scattering obstac les. Experimental measurements in an outdoor antenna range confirmed the th eoretical and numerical predictions.