[FIXED] How setup PLCS passive radar?

[Elpiloto]

Hello everybody!
With the new patch (aka "Tiny") it is possible to use the PCLS ... but how do you set up the system to be able to use it?

[Dimitris]

Please see the release notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bad ... nXqD4/edit

For a general background on PCLS, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_radar

The v488 release of the DB3000 database contains several “non-detecting emitter” platforms such as radio, TV, and cellular antennas or navigation beacons such as LORAN. It also contains a prototype PCLS vehicle that can be used in testing and as the basis for operational variants.

The non-detecting emitters in the DB currently are:

3297 - Antenna Tower - AM Radio -- Generic (Generic), Long Wave
3296 - Antenna Tower - AM Radio -- Generic (Generic), Medium Wave
3295 - Antenna Tower - AM Radio -- Generic (Generic), Short Wave
3302 - Antenna Tower - CB Radio -- Generic (Generic), HF
3301 - Antenna Tower - CB Radio -- Generic (Generic), UHF
3318 - Antenna Tower - Cellular 3G -- Generic (Generic)
3317 - Antenna Tower - Cellular GSM -- Generic (Generic)
3292 - Antenna Tower - Cellular Network -- Generic (Generic), 1800 MHz
3291 - Antenna Tower - Cellular Network -- Generic (Generic), 2100 MHz
3294 - Antenna Tower - Cellular Network -- Generic (Generic), 450 MHz
3293 - Antenna Tower - Cellular Network -- Generic (Generic), 950 MHz
3312 - Antenna Tower - HF Broadcast -- Generic (Generic)
3300 - Antenna Tower - LORAN-C -- Generic (Generic), High Power
3298 - Antenna Tower - LORAN-C -- Generic (Generic), Low Power
3299 - Antenna Tower - LORAN-C -- Generic (Generic), Medium Power
3304 - Antenna Tower - NDB NavAid -- Generic (Generic), Approach
3303 - Antenna Tower - NDB NavAid -- Generic (Generic), En Route
3305 - Antenna Tower - NDB NavAid -- Generic (Generic), Localizer
3309 - Antenna Tower - TV -- Generic (Generic), UHF
3310 - Antenna Tower - TV -- Generic (Generic), VHF-Hi
3311 - Antenna Tower - TV -- Generic (Generic), VHF-Lo
3314 - Antenna Tower - UHF TV Analogue Broadcast -- Generic (Generic)
3315 - Antenna Tower - UHF TV Digital Broadcast -- Generic (Generic)
3313 - Antenna Tower - VHF FM Analogue Broadcast -- Generic (Generic)
3316 - Antenna Tower - VHF FM Digital Broadcast -- Generic (Generic)
3306 - Antenna Tower - VOR NavAid -- Generic (Generic), High Altitude
3307 - Antenna Tower - VOR NavAid -- Generic (Generic), Low Altitude
3308 - Antenna Tower - VOR NavAid -- Generic (Generic), Terminal

You have to combine any of those with a suitable PCLS-equipped platform. The DB offers a generic platform (#3290 - Vehicle (PCLS Receiver)), but of course you can also attach the PCLS receiver on any other platform of your choice using ScenEdit.

In terms of what is necessary to achieve a detection, the biggest obstacle (other than power-vs-range) is that the emitter, target and detector all have to have radio-LOS between them, forming a "visibility triangle". This can be trickier than it sounds.

[Elpiloto]

Thanks for the reply!
I have read all the material, I think the problem is the geometry between the transceiver and the receiver ...
I have tried different geometries, with a large target plane and at an altitude of 1000 feet, but I can't spot it anyway ...
I don't understand where I'm wrong ....

[boogabooga]

Has anyone gotten this to work? If so, could you please post the scenario?

[Kushan04]

Has anyone gotten this to work? If so, could you please post the scenario?

Yes, I have gotten it to work. No I can't share the scenario since it was a pro scenario for a client, but I will see if I can put together a small demo scenario.

Assuming you have the LOS triangle; I have seen better results using higher power antennas (NDBs, VORs, LORAN) then with commercial communications. The navigation aids have more power, thus a longer potential detection range.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that you need multiple triangles to get more then a ambiguity box, these can be; A) a single receiver with multiple antenna, B) multiple receivers and antenna; in either case all with LOS to the contact.

I believe the PCLS receiver can also read signals from active radars, both friendly and hostile, not just the non-detecting emitters.

[boogabooga]

Here is my attempt at a small demo scenario. One PCLS and two LORAN, with everyone on the hilltops. LOS tool seems to show the towers in LOS of the receiver.

It is much easier to pick up a 747 at 27,000 ft-at night-with Mk1 eyeball than to get a PCLS detection.

Can you find anything that I am doing wrong?

[boogabooga]

I see this got moved to tech support, but I'm still willing to believe that the problem is that I don't understand this, rather than it being a bug.

[14yellow14]

Hi, has anyone been able to get the PCLS system to work? I can only get visual detections at close range...

[Dimitris]

See the short-form tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o6D0W7 ... Ti&index=9

The golden rule for PCLS is: You need to have a "LOS triangle" between target, emitter and receiver. This is what trips most people up, because they forget to check for LOS between emitter and receiver.

[14yellow14]

See the short-form tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o6D0W7 ... Ti&index=9

The golden rule for PCLS is: You need to have a "LOS triangle" between target, emitter and receiver. This is what trips most people up, because they forget to check for LOS between emitter and receiver.

Yes, I have watched the tutorial several times and I get the same result which is a bit misleading, its just a visual contact at close range.





That example in the tutorial I'm afraid is not a passive radar contact...

If you could share a sample scenario where the PCLS system works as expected it would be great.

Thanks for all your work and the answer

[Dimitris]

I checked again today, and there was indeed an issue related to intermittent-EMCON settings which was preventing PCLS detections from showing up correctly. Fixed for the next update.

Thanks for the heads up on this.