Implementation of a radar tester for air traffic control applications

In this paper we present a method, and a fully implemented and tested hardware, for testing the operation of primary radars, may it be used in air traffic control or in military service. The realization of the radar tester was based on the theory of controlled radar cross section (CRCS), this way creating spurious targets or clutters, with known parameters, on the screen of the radar. According to the difference between the created and the measured parameters (e.g. velocity, fluctuation and distance), any minor or major degradation or failure can be detected. The tester is capable of scanning the radar system from the antenna, via microwave hardware elements, all through to the digital signal processor (DSP) unit, achieving great diagnostic properties. Emphasis was put on the realisation of the hardware. The produced equipment was tested in real life using a primary ATC radar in Hungary, with satisfying results.