Extended Area Range Instrumentation System Utilizing DME Links

Updated and expanded range instrumentation installations require a system capable of actually tracking and controlling large numbers of vehicles over expanded areas. A range instrumentation system is discussed based on distance measurement equipment (DME) coupled with high performance data links which satisfies these requirements. Previously developed DME systems utilized a single frequency data link, required a low sample rate, and accomodated only a few vehicles. The DME range instrumentation system described will handle a large number of test vehicles and accomodate high data rates without performance degradation. This is accomplished by incorporating surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and microprocessors with previous developed technology. A system performance analysis for various configurations of the range instrumentations system design is also presented.