Airborne Electromagnetic Environment Survey

This paper describes a measurement task and the related data collection techniques performed by the Atlantic Research Corpora­ tion, Alexandria, Virginia, under contract to the Interstate Electron­ ics Corporation, Anaheim, California. The purpose o f the measure­ ments was to determine the RF environment at an altitude in excess of 5000 feet, over the state o f Florida and some o f the eastern offshore islands at four distinct frequency bands. The bands were: 39CM10, 1200-1300, 1500-1600 and 1800-1900 MHz. The data obtained were to be used to determine the best frequency band for a missile range tracking system from an EMC standpoint. The measurements were performed over a three-day period in November of 1974. A description of the measurement techniques and instru­ mentation, the aircraft used, the installation of test instruments and antennas, the flight paths flown, and the data collection techniques are presented.