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What kind of aircraft-related data does a primary route surveillance radar system calculate?
  • A
    The direction by measuring antenna azimuth angle, the range by measuring the interrogation signal's travel time, but no altitudes.
  • B
    The range by interrogating the DME transponder, the altitude by interrogating the Mode- transponder, but no direction.
  • C
    The four-digit octal (squawk) code, but no direction, no range, and no altitude.
  • D

    The altitude by measuring the antenna's angle of elevation, the direction by measuring the antenna's angle of azimuth, but no range.

Refer to figure.
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR): Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) operates by emitting radio wave pulses from a rotating antenna. When these pulses encounter an aircraft or object, some of the energy is reflected back to the antenna. The PSR uses a polar coordinate system to provide information on the detected targets. It calculates the range, which is the slant distance from the antenna to the target, and the bearing, which is determined by the antenna's azimuth.

RANGE
The range is determined by comparing the time it takes for the pulse to be emitted and received, utilizing the speed of light as the propagation speed. It's important to note that the range provided is not the horizontal distance, but the slant distance from the antenna to the target.

BEARING
Bearing measurement in radar systems utilizes the searchlight principle, where radio pulses are focused into narrow beams. This can be achieved by reducing the wavelength or electronically enlarging the antenna in advanced systems. The narrow beam is then rotated at a consistent speed. By analyzing the direction of the received echo, the bearing of the object can be determined based on the azimuth of the antenna at the time of receiving the echo. This directional information is measured from a fixed reference point or datum


Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) calculates bearing (antenna's azimuth) and range (time difference) of a target providing a two-dimensional position.

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