24 I-R-E TRANSACTIONS-AERONAUTICAL AND NAVIGATIONAL ELECTRONICS December

20.1 - -
ifor- - 401-
frDiTtriL' tionSnsia
-

U Dsr to

oR
of ope
ZOC
.
__ __ __
lo_.
__ __~~~~~~~~~~~~~pe

19.91 -----
990
0 90 180 270 3 60 o9 8 7 6
Rotating Angle 8 in Degrees Rag l 9 n Degrees
Rotating Angle in Degrees

Nf= Ns =36, 2aI= 46 mm, 2a2 = 32 mm

20.1
fSinIsoial.Di.stri Iutio Za3 = 27 mm, 2a = 19 mm, d = 12 mm, 111/po= ioo

u .C - - Fig. 5
--.-open short-circuited, are nearly identical in the case of sinu-
1.9 l. - soidal winding distribution indicates almost zero-
0 90 180 270 360 coupling error (less than 0.5 degrees). We have designed
Rotating Angle 0 in Degrees
several radio-goniometers for the higher frequency
= 40 Ns36, 2a1 =85mm, 2a2 - bands (hf and vhf), and they all have proved to be very
2a3 = 46 mm, 2a4 = 32 mm, d = 12 mm, a//.L.oo0 J successful, the errors being smaller than one degree.
Fig. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

may originate from the eccentricity of the central axis We are indebted to T. Kurimura for his discussion of
between the search coil and field coil cores, and from this type of radio-goniometer system. We also wish to
irregularities in coil winding, etc. The fact that two express our sincere thanks to Dr. K. Funabashi and M.
curves with F1Fi' and F2F2' both open-circuited, or Goto for their constructive mathematical criticism.

Electronic Simulators for Study

of Aircraft Flight Paths*
S. L. McDONOUGHt
Summary-This simulator was designed for use as an aid in position to polar form for Plan Position Indicator and RHI presenta-
the study of the problems of co-ordinating many aircraft in a tion. The simulation methods vary in the degree of aircraft maneuver-
given geographic area. Correspondingly, the equipment is only as ability from nonmaneuvering straight-line aircraft to that of fixed-
sophisticated as the requirements of the special problem dictated. rate-of-turn aircraft. The complete installation has the capacity to
The main significance of the simulator lies in its ability to develop, simultaneously generate twenty-four aircraft paths.
with a small operating crew, a complex aircraft traffic situation as
might be viewed by a ground based surveillance radar. Further, the INTRODUCTION
simulator is capable of generating signals for use in testing and de- HE AIRCRAFT flight-path generators described
v eloping experimental data-processing, computing, and recording 7 ere were designed to simulate the static (or
equipment. A hr vr eindt iuaetesal o
Several methods of simulating simplified aircraft tracks in three steady-state) behavior of aircraft and not the
dimensions are included. Simulation equipments based on these dynamic (or transient) behavior. The simulation equip-
methods are in use as data sources for track-while-scan radar re- ment was used on several projects as an aid in the study
peater presentation and for direct use in ground-installed computing of the problems invzolved in co-ordinating many aircraft
and recording equipment. The methods involve both integration and
multiplication techniques in generating voltages whilch represent in a gie ae.Tequp ntwsdigdtomk
tracks in rectangular co-ordinates. The voltages maybe used directly use of readily available hardware and as such does not
in computers, or video circuits may be employed to convert aircraft necessarily represent the optimum. The operational
requirements for the equipment demanded that one
operator be able to control many path genlerators so
* This paper was delivered at the J.R.E. National Conference of that a complex pattern of paths could be developed
Airborne Electronics, May, 1954.
t Physics Dept., Cornell Aeronautical Lab., Inc., Buffalo, N. Y. without an excessive amount of manpower.

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1954 McDonough: Electronic Simulators for Study of Aircraft Flight Paths 25

The aircraft flight-path simulator has a capacity of in both the north and the east co-ordinates. 'I'he position
24 paths. The individual path generators are of three outputs may be either ac or dc voltages and are taken
types, depending on the complexity of the paths to be from two ten-turn potentiometers; dc voltages are cur-
generated: (1) Maneuverable path generators, (2) dog- rently used for positions throughout the simulator.
leg path generators, and (3) straight-line path genera- Speed and heading are represented by the shaft positions
tors. The maneuverable path generators are used as of an input speed potentiometer and a heading control.
aircraft under the control of observers. The dog-leg The heading control is connected to the speed resolver
and the straight-line path generators are primarily through a 3-degrees-per-second clock motor. The turn-
used to develop "canned" or prearranged aircraft (lirection selector switch shown in the figure sets the
path patterns. direction of the heading change and starts the turn
The complete simulator consists of these units: motor. A slip-ring on the turn control stops the clock
1. Six straight-line path generators, each providitng motor when the input (or command) heading has been
(a) straight line track reached. The resolver computes the north and east
(b) pre-selectecl course and speed components of speed, thus providing inputs to the veloc-
(c) constant altitude ity servos. Two initial position potentiometers are
(d) controllable flight time. provided so that the simulated aircraft may be returned
2. Six dog-leg path generators, each providing to a prearranged position for repeated runs. An initial-
(a) track consisting of straight-line segments position relay causes the servos to behave as position
(b) pre-selected course and speed servos and to follow up the settings of the initial-posi-
(c) constant altitude tion pots. Altitude is generated on the basis of elapsed
(d) controllable flight time. time from initiation of climb and is implemented by a
3. Twelve maneuverable track generators, eaclh pro- 12-degree-per-minute clock motor and a dial having
viding nonlinear graduations. Altitude is available as observed
(a) straight line and 3-degrees/sec turning tracks dial indication rather than as electrical voltage.
(b) individually controllable courses and speeds
(c) climb rates approximately e(lual to a jet air-
craft
(d) controllaible flight timies, COuirse, Speed, and
climb initiation.
4. TIwenty-four marker generators, each providing
(a) simulated radar returns for eaich track
(b) radar returns presente(d on PlI'l
(c) position accuracy, ± ' mile.
5. Plotting table
(a) provision for permnanenlt record of tests
(b) 30X30 inch plotting surface
(c) interception tracks plotted in four 15-inch bv
15-inch squatres
(d) pen time-shared among 12 tracks every 20
seconids.
POSITIORT
IPN Fig. 2-Maneuverable path generator chassis.
SPEED ~ EAST
ONEN
P Nonlinearity of the velocity feedback tachometer
INPUT l RATE limits the speed accuracy to 3 per cent of the 1,000-
--
EAST INITIAL
~~~~~POSITION knot full scale. The position pots are linear to 0.1 per
v--.-v EAST cent and provide a granularity of 0.1 per cent of the 200-
t rrr
| < lPOSITION nautical mile scale. Although more linear tachometers
+lV and pots are available, the improvement in performance
+VT t [ -~[(@ (3--4was not needed. A single maneuverable path generator
TURN designed for relay rack mounting is shown in Fig. 2.
DIRECTION -V

velocities path generator.

Fig. I-Schematic of maneuverable employedDOG-LEG
Fig. 3 (next page) is PATH
a schematic diagram of a single ENEASTRSTE GENERATORS
dog-leg path generator. The principle of integration
MANEEis employed and is implemented with an electronic
A simplified schematic diagram of a single maneuver- differential-analyzer (BEAC) amplifier in both the
able path generator is given in Fig. 1. Integration of north and the east co-ordinates. Integration occurs be-
velocities is employed to generate position outputs and cause the derivative feedback is furnished by a feed-
is implemented by means of a 400-cps velocity servo back capacitor. P'osition outputs are necessarily dc

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26 I-R-E TRANSACTIONS-AERONAUTICAL AND NAVIGATIONAL ELECTRONICS December

voltage. The inputs of speed and heading are repre- on the dividers. An auxiliary set of dividing networks
sented by the setting of the speed and the heading selec- provides component speeds and are switched by the
tor switches. The speeds and the headings that are quadrant selector switch. Both speeds and position
available are necessarily limited to those previously outputs may be either ac or dc voltage. In the installa-
set up as dc voltages on the resistor dividing networks. tion described, positions are dc and speeds are ac.
For the installation described, headings are available Speed accuracy is limited to 5 per cent by the carbon
for every 30 degrees and speeds are available in steps of resistors used in the dividing network and by speed
100 knots from 300 to 800 knots. variations of the clock motors. The position potentiome-
The two outputs of the dividing networks are the ters are linear to 0.1 per cent and provide a granularity
north and east components of speed which provide of 0.2 per cent. Speed accuracy could be improved sub-
inputs to the electronic integrators. A companion set stantially, if desired, with use of other clock motors.
of dividing networks is switched by the same speed and The chassis housing the six straight-line path generators
heading controls and provides component speeds as is shown in Fig. 5.
ac voltages. Two initial-position potentiometers are
provided so that the simulated aircraft may be returned
to a prearranged position for repeating runs.
Speed accuracy is limited to 5 per cent because carbon
resistors are used in the dividing networks and because
of dc amplifier drift. Automatic drift correction is not
included but could be added to improve the accuracy.

tv ~ ~~...SAME A'
-S
RATE
/EEAST O T I
/ / ~~~~~~POSITION

// / ~~EAST INITIAL EAST

I / ~~~POSITION RATE
INPUT I
HEADING

EAST
INPUTINPUT. ~~~~~~~ POSITION Fig. 5-Straight-liiie path genierator.
Fig. 3-Schematic of dog-leg path generator. 'FABLEF
PLOTTINIG

EAST NORTH HEIGHT A commercially available (Electronics Associates)

POSITION is used to display and record
T
POSITION INPUT single-pen Variplotter
RANGE the paths generated by the twenty-four simulators. PULSE I.
SWEEP P The paper plotting surface is 30X30 inches, and the CLIPPER
maximum pen speed is 8 inches per second. The plotting NERATOR
I
pen is time-shared among the twenty-four sets of inputs
,'^> $ | |PULSE i | i by a stepping relay (or switch). The plotting rate may
ANTENNA |
AINTENNAPP | |COINCIDENCE| ^ ppg be either fixed or variable. The variable rate is deter-
AZIMUTH VIDEO mined by the time required for the pen to settle down,
PULSE ;each time the inputs are switched. Characteristic marks
GENRATOR are plotted on each target path as an aid in establishing
Fig. 4-Schematic of straight-line path generator. time coincidence. The 30 X30 inch plotting surface may
be divided into four 15 X 15 inch plots of the same geo-
STRAIGHT-LINE GENERATOR graphic area. Interfering paths of many aircraft may,
therefore, be separated for clarity of record.
PATi-h
A simplified schematic diagram of a single straight-
line path generator is given in Fig. 4. Multiplication by PPI VIDEO GENERATION
time is used to generate position outputs and is imple- Fig. 6 (opposite) is a simplified schematic diagram of
mented by a linear potentiometer driven by a clock a PPI sweep amplifier and video generator. In the
motor. The initial and final positions in each co-ordinate sweep amplifier the range sweep voltage is resolved
are determined by resistor dividing networks at both into north and east components by a resolver whose
ends of the potentiometer. The final position is adjusted shaft position follows the antenna azimuth. The sweep
to yield the desired speed and heading. A quadrant component voltages are amplified to match the simula-
selector switch permits the path to be reflected about tor position scale factor. In the video generator the north
either or both axes by changing the polarity of voltage sweep voltage is continuously compared with the north

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1954 McDonough: Electronic Simulators for Study of Aircraft Flight Paths 27

simulator position voltage. When the voltages are equal, The video generator circuits for the target generators
a 10-microsecond pulse is generated. Likewise, a 10- are located near the top of the rack. The plotting table
microsecond pulse is generated when the east sweep is shown in the lower right portion of the figure. Fig.
and the east position voltages are equal. When north 9 shows typical operation.
and east pulses are coincident in time, a video signal is
generated which intensifies the sweep on the PPI.
NORTH FINAL | EAST FINAL
POSITION POSITION l

SELECTORL
|SWITCH | POSITION ' | l POSITION *
I I, I D~~~~~OSTIN-__

NORTH RATE,
Fig. 6-Schematic of 1'1'1 video generator.

A 1-mile rectangle is thus presented on the IlPI as the Fig. 8-Simulator installation.
sweep passes through the position of the simulated In a little over a year the described simulator has
aircraft. Over a long time interval, position accurac
aircrft. Ovierois withime+0.5minal,
of the video lon
within ± 0.25 mile. Forposin
an altitude dis- acciuriCy been used in approximately 1,000 runs in which from
2 to 24 aircraft paths were simulated simultaneously.
play in which the pulse height proportional to air-
is This record is the equivalent of about 10,000 aircraft
craft altitude, the video pulses are clipped to represent flights in which all elements such as radar, trackers, and
altitude before they are combined, communication nets performed as scheduled. A "live"
A video generator is shown in Fig. 7. One sweep pgm of tis siz wul ile d A
atmplifier (not shown) is sufficient for all simulated air-
craft, but a separate video generator is required for each.
tphrogram of this izie woul be tohtaly. iBmtssibe to reu
the repeatibility and precision of the simulator in gener-
ating traffic situations could not be duplicated. The
simulator has brought the study of an extremely com-
plex problem within the limits of a modest budget.

Fig. 7-lI'lT video generator chassis.

COMPI.ETV INSTALLATION
The complete simulator is housed in four relay racks,
as shown in Fig. 8. The first three racks each contain
four maneuverable path generators and the required
marker circuits. The path generators are located in Fig. 9-Simulators and opelators.
the middle of the racks and the video generator circuits
are located near the top. The second and third racks ACRNOWLEDGIENT
contain power supply chassis near the bottom. The Ihe simulation facility described in this paper was
sweep amplifier circuit chassis is at the very top of the developed at the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory,
third rack. The straight-line and the dog-leg path Inc., Buffalo, N. Y. under the sponsorship of the U. S.
generator chassis are near the middle of the fourth rack. Navy Bureau of Ships.

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