“Following Doctor Who, stay tuned to BBC One for air traffic control.”
Regular TV signals might be able to replace radar, according to several British companies who have been testing the concept, according to an announcement by NATS, which provides air traffic control services in Britain. Thales and Roke Manor are also involved in the testing.
The test was carried out primarily over London with a Thales concept demonstrator using signals from the Crystal Palace transmitter in Bromley, according to NATS. Roke Manor validated the results.
The researchers were able to track up to 30 aircraft at a time at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. Additional equipment would have expanded the capability, according to the research team.
The results demonstrate that not only can TV transmissions be used to locate aircraft; they can do it well enough to meet the standard separation requirements for air traffic control, the researchers concluded.
