The Method of Evaluation of Radio Altimeter Methodological Error in Laboratory Environment

The presented article is focused on the evaluation of aviation radio altimeter (ALT) methodological error in order to increase air traffic safety. It briefly explains the background of methodological error at the theoretical level and offers practical conclusions to understand the issue. A radio altimeter provides information on an aircraft or helicopter’s instantaneous (radar) altitude or UAV to the pilot and another assistance system, such as an autopilot or an anticollision system. The height measurement of the most common used ALTs is realized with an accuracy of from ±0.30 m to ±0.75 m. This error rate corresponds to and is caused by the radio altimeter’s methodological error (ΔH). The ALT operating parameters are defined by carrier frequency, modulation frequency, and frequency lift. The methodological error of ALT can be obtained in three ways—calculated on a theoretical level, simulated in a suitable simulation environment, or evaluated in laboratory conditions. The ambiguity of ALT methodological error measurement causes bias in its presentation. This often leads to an incorrect determination of measurement inaccuracy (too optimistic statement of error value). The article’s primary goal is to present a new method for determining the value of the methodological error and its effect on the resulting error of measurement of the radio altitude (radar altitude). It presents a new experimental laboratory method for measuring ΔH and the resulting accuracy of height measurement with a radio altimeter. Thanks to this method, it can be verified that the information obtained by measuring the height above the ground corresponds to the standard specified by the manufacturer.