Microprocessor Matched Filtering of Emergency Chirp Signals

A microcomputer matched filter solution is suggested for identifying emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signals from aircraft in distress. A sliding fast Fourier transform (FFT) with adjustable delay covers all permissible ELT sweep rates. The sweep rate for optimum response is retained for signal classification purposes. An additional nonsliding FFT is used to test for the possible presence of monotone modulation in the frequency range of the ELT, and an additional uncorrelated test helps establish a background reference level for positive ELT identiflcation.