Message posted by Gunslinger on November 22, 2000 at 03:27:42 EST:
Electro-Magnetic/Infra-Red Triangulation & Tracking... Basically, a more compled RDF (Radio Direction Finding) station, it consists of three wire antennas and an infra-red, servo-mounted 'camera', tied into a main control panel. It performs several functions: 1) It triangulates a bearing from a radio transmission, even 'encrypted' ones. With two stations, the system can also generate fine height and range information, and (tied in through a computer), create a three-dimensional 'history' of the signals/onject through the airspace. With a topographical map and the satelitte image laied down on the 'base' of the projection, it provides a very clear indication of the movemnets and speeds of the recorded object. Also, with two stations, the infra-red lens arrangement used for rough ranging (and known as the 'camera') can be replaced with a real video camera that is automatically tracking the object, allowing for good footage to be shot. (instead of a video camera, a still camera with a motorized drive/shutter assembly can be used, taking very high-quality 'snap shorts' of the aircraft being tracked). In many ways, this is a ground-station version of the FLIR system used by the military. (Forward-Looking Infra-Red.)
2) It triangulates a bearing from radar emissions (or, even strong enough radar 'echos'.
3) It tracks and roughly ranges via the 'camera'.
4) It records on apaper the 'signature' of the emissions for later analysis, and (hopefully) eventual identification. (Even if it is never 'identified', specifically, you can recognize the signature whenever it repeats.
As I said, though, you'd have to have the money to set up the station, the time to either monitor it, or at least check the data periiodically, and enough space in a good location to set it up. (Ideally, the antennas should be set up in a right-angle triangle with 100 yards seperation.)
In Reply to: Re: Why Russia radar sites? posted by gary on November 22, 2000 at 00:59:23 EST:
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