A Mathematical Analysis of the Performance of the ATC Radar Beacon System

The capacity of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System can be evaluated by extensive high-density flight testing, simulation, or mathematical synthesis. Actual flight testing, although desirable, is costly and inflexible. Simulation techniques would be an effective approach to analyzing the system problems, were it not for the cost of the simulator required for this type of work and the delay incurred waiting for the construction and test of the simulator. Use of a mathematical model makes numerous variations of system parameters and equipments feasible at low cost while providing sufficient environmental flexibility. A previous paper described the development and application of such a model for evaluation of traffic-handling capacity in the dense environment of the New York area. Applications of the model and conclusions and recommendations based on the results of its use are presented in this paper.