Multi-channel degarbling method for SSR replies

Abstract

This paper describes a method of separation (degarbling) of individual Secondary Surveillance Radar replies from a mixture (garble) received using a multi-channel antenna system. The aim of described method is to increase the number of correctly decoded messages used for aircraft surveillance by Air-Traffic Control center. Firstly, described method is evaluated on the model data simulation and afterwards it is applied to the data measured using a multi-channel antenna system. The performance is evaluated with regards to the data captured and processed by a currently established surveillance system employing robust one-channel SSR decoder (with no advanced signal separation techniques implemented).