Implementation of grounding, bonding, shielding and power system improvements in FAA systems: reliability assessments of the terminal Doppler weather radar (TDWR)

The safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) is critically dependent upon the inherent reliability of the many systems required for its operation. A major impediment to reliability is the frequency at which FAA systems fail due to electrical power interruptions. These failures are most often associated with power system transients that result from the passage of thunderstorms in the vicinity of FAA facilities. In order to improve the reliability of the NAS, the FAA has developed and implemented a program to provide improved Grounding, Bonding, Shielding and Power systems (GBSP) in support of major facilities. This paper reports on the initial program effort, dealing with performance of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) system and the effects of implementing the GBSP program. The program has resulted in significant improvements in reliability.