Ranging airport pseudolite for local area augmentation

This paper discusses the integration of an airport pseudolite (APL) into a local area augmented differential GPS (DGPS) based precision approach system. The paper describes a prototype architecture that is being used to develop requirements for the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS). Key features of this prototype system are presented along with its current performance. Key features discussed include the use of a multipath limiting antenna (MLA), APL signal structure factors, a unique APL automatic gain control (AGC), and GPS blanking technique to maximize APL tracking performance, while minimizing the electromagnetic interference (EMI) to nominal DGPS performance.