Problems and Applications of the ATC Radar Beacon System

This paper describes the characteristics of the new ATC Radar Beacon System. It discusses the operational problems caused by target overlaps, airborne antenna shadowing, secondary radar reflections, sidelobe interrogations and interference, together with some of the methods proposed for alleviating these difficulties. The paper points out specific applications of the beacon system, including its ability to extend radar coverage, to provide continuous target tracking through heavy clutter, to filter the controller's traffic display, and to provide identity for specific aircraft targets in the traffic situation.