Communication and ranging systems for navigation experiment using Engineering Test Satellite V

Currently, the only available means for communication on the oceanic air route is HF voice communication. Therefore, ATC depends solely on this communication. But, the quality of this communication is low and often deteriorates due to ionospheric disturbance. In addition, the surveillance is performed by the position report from the aircraft through the HF communication. Considering possible future growth in the oceanic air traffic, alternative means is required. Thus, satellite technology is the most feasible means to give voice, data and aircraft position information for the air traffic control in the oceanic area. A navigation experiment program using ETS-V (Engineering Test Satellite V) began in 1983 to develop satellite communication and ranging techniques for the aircraft and ships in the oceanic area. The author describes the ranging system, voice and data communication systems and aircraft antennas for the experiment