Systems and methods for monitoring transponder performance
AssigneeAviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
InventorsGregory T. Stayton, Stephen P. Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There are presented various approaches to monitor performance of RF systems and circuitry such as those used in aircraft transponders. Such monitoring may be designed to verify operational performance of transponders as set forth by FAA regulations, or may be used to periodically or continually monitor integrity of transponder performance. Data may be collected by such periodic or continual monitoring, and may be analyzed to identify potentially troublesome trends in transponder performance, allowing early intervention or repair, if warranted.
Claims28
A method for monitoring performance of a transponder, the method comprising:
- synthesizing a signal for broadcast, the signal comprising air traffic control information;
- transmitting the signal from a directional antenna;
- sensing coupled electromagnetic signals from the antenna;
- routing the coupled electromagnetic signals to a receiver;
- and
- analyzing the coupled electromagnetic signals to determine whether the signals are in compliance with a predetermined performance range.
A method for monitoring performance of a transponder, the method comprising:
- synthesizing a signal for transmission, the signal comprising air traffic control information;
- transmitting the signal from an antenna;
- sensing coupled electromagnetic signals from the antenna;
- analyzing the coupled electromagnetic signals to determine a transmitted signal frequency;
- and
- comparing the transmitted signal frequency to a reference signal frequency to determine whether the frequency range satisfies a predetermined performance threshold.
A method for monitoring performance of a transponder, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of signals in a receiver, the signals comprising air traffic control information;
- analyzing the plurality of interrogation signals to obtain a measured noise performance criterion and a measured minimum triggering level (MTL) performance criterion;
- determining that the measured receiver sensitivity performance criterion and the measured MTL performance criterion are within respective predetermined thresholds when:
- at least one interrogation signal was received at a predetermined minimum triggering level MTL within a predetermined number of flight legs at a predetermined minimum distance from own aircraft;
- and
- a receiver is detecting spurious pulse data at a level below MTL.
A method for monitoring performance of a transponder, the method comprising:
- inputting a predetermined calibration signal into a receiver input of an RF circuit coupled to the transponder, said calibration signal having a predetermined minimum sensitivity level;
- sampling an output from the RF circuit to obtain a calibrated reference response signal;
- coupling a self test signal to the receiver input of the RF circuit;
- measuring a test response signal from the output of the RF circuit;
- modifying the self test signal until the test response signal is within a predetermined range of the calibrated reference response signal;
- and
- determining, based on the modified self test signal, the calibration signal, the calibrated reference response signal, and the test response signal that a receiver sensitivity criterion is within a predetermined threshold.
A method for monitoring performance of a transponder, the method comprising:
- generating a reference frequency and an independent frequency;
- determining a frequency error based on a calculated difference between the reference frequency and the independent frequency;
- computing an allowed error based on
- a ratio of a maximum allowable output frequency deviation;
- and
- a desired output frequency divided by the reference frequency;
- and
- determining that the output frequency is within an acceptable range when the frequency error is within the allowed error.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.