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Low-Range Tracking Radio Altimeter with a Phase-Locked Loop

https://doi.org/10.32603/1993-8985-2022-25-2-54-63

Abstract

Introduction. The article proposes a new principle for designing a low-range tracking radio altimeter based on a phase-locked loop (PLL) for frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar (FMCW) systems.
Aim. To develop a model of a low-range tracking radio altimeter, which uses a PLL to estimate the height, as well as to verify its performance via computer simulation.
Materials and methods. To solve the problem, we develop a mathematical model of the tracking radio altimeter with an estimator that uses the principles of PLL to generate a reference signal.
Results. Computer simulation of a radio altimeter with the PLL circuit to measure the height above a rough surface proves the altitude estimate to be efficient. When operating over a perfectly flat surface, the altimeter provides an efficient altitude estimate for a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 dB. When operating over a rough surface under the selected scenario parameters, and the signal-to-noise ratio of 20 dB, the resulting height estimate provides a bias, with its standard deviation growing with increasing the surface roughness. When the standard deviation of the surface roughness is twice the transmission wavelength, the bias and standard deviation of the estimate equal 1 m and 5 m, respectively, under the altimeter height of 150 m. The conducted simulation revealed that the quality of the altimeter performance is subject to abnormal errors, which are caused by deep fading of the received signal due to the signal reflecting from a rough surface.
Conclusion. The altimeter under study can be used for estimating the altitude of aircraft flights. Further research will investigate the effect of various factors on the performance quality of the radio altimeter, its circuit implementation and full-scale tests.

About the Authors

A. A. Monakov
Institute of Radio Technique, Electronics and Communication Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation
Russian Federation

 Dr Sci. (Eng.) (2000), Professor (2005) of the Department of Radio Engineering Systems; Honored Mechanical Engineer of the Russian Federation (2005), Honored Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation (2006)

67 A, Bolshaya Morskaya St., St Petersburg 190000, Russia 



A. A. Tarasenkov
Institute of Radio Technique, Electronics and Communication Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation
Russian Federation

 Senior Lecturer of the Department of Aerospace Instrumentation and Systems; Leading Engineer of the Microwave Laboratory of "KONTUR-NIIRS" Company

67 A, Bolshaya Morskaya St., St Petersburg 190000, Russia 



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Review

For citations:


Monakov A.A., Tarasenkov A.A. Low-Range Tracking Radio Altimeter with a Phase-Locked Loop. Journal of the Russian Universities. Radioelectronics. 2022;25(2):54-63. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32603/1993-8985-2022-25-2-54-63

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ISSN 1993-8985 (Print)
ISSN 2658-4794 (Online)