Honeywell International Inc.

David C Oey

Ruy C Brandao

Larry D King

LuAn Vanness

Devices and systems are disclosed for a Traffic Collision Avoidance system (TCAS) antenna. In some examples, the TCAS antenna includes two antenna elements, a first plurality of bolt holes, a second plurality of bolt holes, and a third plurality of bolt holes. The first plurality of bolt holes in conjunction with the second plurality of bolt holes enables the TCAS antenna to be mounted to an aircraft in a first orientation. The third plurality of bolt holes in conjunction with the first plurality of bolt holes enable the TCAS antenna to be mounted to the aircraft in a second orientation, and the second orientation is different than the first orientation.

Two-element traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) antenna

The present invention provides a method for efficient use of the transmit power of a Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that allows enhanced surveillance range and limits radio frequency (RF) interference in crowded airspace. The method reduces power density in crowded airspace by modifying Mode S, Mode A and Mode C interrogations. During Mode S broadcasts, tracking interrogation power is reduced as a function of range. Further transmit power reduction is achieved by broadcasting a variable power density whisper-shout interrogation technique for Mode A/C aircraft when garbling is detected. If garbling is observed during a medium whisper-shout interrogation sequence, the method of the present invention attempts to clear the garbling by using focused high-density whisper-shout steps but only in the ranges where garbling was detected. Formation members can account for other formation members that are TCAS equipped using a special E-TCAS Broadcast Interrogation. The presence of other E-TCAS will be used in the RF interference limiting calculations. Aircraft flying in formation further minimize broadcast power by sharing information between the formation leader and formation aircraft.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

David C Oey