Plot Amplitude Thresholding (PAT) Optimization Tool

TSC helped develop an optimization tool for use by the FAA’s terminal Airport Surveillance Radars (ASRs). This tool was designed in response to the challenges to terminal radars (Link to the Challenges to Terminal Radar page) of aircraft detection in the presence of clutter. For details on Plot Amplitude Thresholding click here (Link to Plot Amplitude Thresholding page). The PAT optimization tool supports site optimization and operational testing of the ASR-11 by:

• Giving the engineer information and tradeoff capabilities to help optimize PAT Variable Site Parameters (VSPs).
  
• Utilizing site-specific PSR data to develop PAT performance statistics specifically related to VSP settings
  
• Providing insight into the performance of the PAT function under the conditions of user-defined VSP settings

TSC worked collaboratively with BAE systems to develop this tool after a need for a PAT Optimization tool was identified by ATB-440 (Terminal Surveillance). Additionally, TSC developed the Design Note for this tool, incorporating minor modifications during the development process, and ensuring that the tool met final Design Note requirements.

Plot Amplitude Thresholding

• Plot Amplitude Thresholding (PAT) is an embedded signal processing function in the PSR
  
• PSR detections in each PAT zone in the radar coverage are determined in relation to a PAT Threshold
  
• The PAT Threshold is increased and decreased based on the number of plots in a PAT zone
  
• The PAT function is designed to desensitize portions of the radar coverage during times of high false plot activity while maintaining sensitivity to aircraft
  
• The user-defined PAT VSPs help to determine the level of aggressiveness of the PAT function