Airborne electromagnetic environment survey

This paper describes a measurement task and the related data collection techniques performed by the Atlantic Research Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia, under contract to the Interstate Electronics Corporation, Anaheim, California. The purpose of the measurements was to determine the RF environment at an altitude in excess of 5000 feet, over the state of Florida and some of the eastern offshore islands at four distinct frequency bands. The bands were: 390-410, 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 1974. A description of the measurement techniques and instrumentation, the aircraft used, the installation of test instruments and antennas, the flight paths flown, and the data collection techniques are presented.