Air Navigation: Automation Method for Controlling the Process of Detecting Aircraft by a Radar Complex

Modern air traffic control systems equipped with phased antenna arrays radar have increased performance in comparison with radars of previous generations. The radar tracking of objects starts with the detection of such objects. The earlier the object is detected, the more time is available for the selection of modes. The article solves the problem and offers a method of automated management of modern radar complexes with phased antenna arrays, which will significantly reduce the search time for objects in the view field of such complexes. The solution is based on the discretization of the object detection process by time and position. Space, where the detected objects move, is divided into cells, and each of the cells is identified with a particular position. Each object can be in each cell for a long interval of time and then move to other cells. As a result, a dynamic process with a fixed number of positions and discrete time is obtained. For optimal calculations, we chose a minimum average time for searching and detecting an object. The optimal speed problem deals with the elements of the phase space as extrapolated probabilities of the present object in the cell of the viewing area. The optimization problem is solved using a discrete analogue of the maximum principle. Its application offers sufficient conditions for optimality. For the numerical solution of the problem, the author employs a modified method of successive approximations. Based on the proposed method, the author develops an algorithm for automated management of the detection of moving objects by a radar complex, as well as an operational simulation model after objects are detected. The suggested method of automatic control significantly reduces the average search time for objects. This article is the second in a series of articles devoted to the problems of information support of the processes of navigation of aircraft and air traffic control.