The Theory and Application of the Radar Beacon

Part I discusses the general theory underlying the operation of radar beacons. The various components of a typical beacon, such as the receiver, discriminator, blanking gate, coder, modulator-driver, modulator, transmitter, stabilizing tuner, antenna, and monitor, are discussed in some detail. System considerations, such as the comparison of primary and secondary radar systems, delay in the beacon, factors governing the choice of beacon transmitter and receiver frequencies, system accuracy, duty cycle and traffic-handling capacity, and siting and range, are discussed. Part II considers the application of the radar beacon to identification, air and ground-controlled general navigation, air and ground-controlled precision navigation, collision warning, emergency rescue, field-strength measurement, and airport-approach control.