Microwave Landing

System

(MLS)
System description
„ The MLS provides precision navigation
guidance for exact alignment and descent of
aircraft on approach to a runway.
„ It provides
-azimuth, (left/right information)
-elevation, (glide slope information) and
-distance (range information).
System requirement
„ MLS requires separate airborne equipment to receive
and process the signals from what is normally installed
in general aviation aircraft today.
„ It has data communications capability and can provide
audible information about the condition of the
transmitting system and other pertinent data such as
weather, runway status, etc.
„ The MLS transmits an audible identifier consisting of
four letters beginning with the letter M, in Morse code at
a rate of at least six per minute.
„ The MLS system monitors itself and transmits ground-
to-air data messages about the system’s operational
condition.
MLS functions
The system may be divided into five functions:
„ Approach azimuth;
„ Back azimuth;
„ Approach elevation;
„ Range; and
„ Data communications.
MLS Principle
„ MLS signals are transmitted on a single
frequency through time sharing.
„ Two hundred channels are available between
5031 and 5090.6 Megahertz (MHz).
„ By transmitting a narrow beam which sweeps
across the coverage area at a fixed scan rate,
both azimuth and elevation may be calculated
by an airborne receiver which measures the time
interval between sweeps.
 MLS Theory
„ The principle of operation of the
MLS is called “Time-Referenced
Scanning Beam System
(TRSB)”
„ Two beams are used : one that
scans side to side and one that
scans up and down.
„ The aircraft receiver measures
the time difference between
reception of the TO and FRO
scans for the two beams in order
to determine lateral and vertical
position.
ILS Limitations
The ILS has a number of basic limitations:

„ site sensitivity and high installation costs;

„ single approach path;
„ multi path interference; and
„ channel limitations - 40 channels only.
MLS Advantages
MLS not only eliminates ILS problems; but also offers many
advantages over ILS including:
1.elimination of ILS/FM broadcast interference problems;
2.provision of ail-weather coverage up to ±60 degrees
from runway centerline, from 0.9 degree to 15 degrees
in elevation, and out of 20 nautical miles (NM);
3.capability to provide precision guidance to small landing
areas such as roof-top heliports;
4.continuous availability of a wide range of glide paths to
accommodate STOL and VTOL aircraft and
helicopters; (Short takeoff and landing)
MLS Advantages (cont.)
5.accommodation of both segments and curved
approaches;
6.availability of 200 channels - five times more than ILS;
7.potential reduction of Category I (CAT l) minimums;
8.improved guidance quality with fewer flight path
corrections required;
9.provision of back-azimuth for missed approaches and
departure guidance;
10.elimination of service interruptions caused by snow
accumulation; and
11.lower site preparation, repair, and maintenance costs.
MLS Displays
„ Both lateral and vertical guidance may be
displayed on conventional course deviation
indicators or incorporated into multipurpose
cockpit displays.
„ Range information can be displayed by
conventional DME indicators and also
incorporated into multipurpose displays.
 MLS configuration
„ The standard configuration of MLS ground
equipment includes:
„ (a) An azimuth station to perform functions
approach azimuth and data communications. In
addition to providing azimuth navigation
guidance, the station transmits basic data which
consists of information associated directly with
the operation of the landing system, as well as
advisory data on the performance of the ground
equipment.
MLS configuration (cont.)
„ (b) An elevation station to perform function
approach elevation.

„ (c) Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) to

perform range guidance, both standard DME
(DME/N) and precision DME (DME/P).
 MLS Expansion Capabilities
„ The standard configuration can be expanded by
adding one or more of the following functions or
characteristics.
„ (a) Back azimuth. Provides lateral guidance for
missed approach and departure navigation.
„ (b) Auxiliary data transmissions. Provides
additional data, including refined airborne
positioning, meteorological information, runway
status, and other supplementary information.
„ (c) Expanded Service Volume (ESV)
proportional guidance to 60 degrees.
Approach Azimuth Guidance
„ The azimuth station transmits MLS angle and
data on one of 200 channels within the
frequency range of 5031 to 5091 MHz.
„ The equipment is normally located about 1,000
feet beyond the stop end of the runway, but
there is considerable flexibility in selecting
sites. For example, for heliport operations the
azimuth transmitter can be collocated with the
elevation transmitter.
MLS Transmitter
Approach Azimuth Guidance
„ The azimuth coverage extends:
„ (a) Laterally, at least 40 degrees on either
side of the runway centerline in a standard
configuration,
„ (b) In elevation, up to an angle of 15 degrees
and to at least 20,000 feet, and
„ (c) In range, to at least 20 NM.
Approach Azimuth Guidance
Approach Azimuth Guidance
„ The approach azimuth station, unlike ILS, is
able to provide approach guidance along any
path within its ±40° (to runway alignment)
range.
„ The curved and segmented approaches are
possible. This facility also provides the data
communications capability of the system.
„ A back azimuth station may be operating in
conjunction with the approach azimuth station.
If so, lateral guidance is available for missed
approach and departure navigation.
Elevation Guidance
„ the elevation guidance station has
considerably more capability than the ILS
glideslope system.
„ The elevation station transmits signals on the
same frequency as the azimuth station. A
single frequency is time-shared between angle
and data functions.
„ The elevation transmitter is normally located
about 400 feet from the side of the runway
between runway threshold and the touchdown
zone.
 Elevation Guidance
„ Elevation coverage is
provided in the same airspace
as the azimuth guidance
signals:
„ (a) In elevation, to at least
+15 degrees;
„ (b) Laterally, to fill the
Azimuth lateral coverage; and
„ (c) In range, to at least 20
NM.
Elevation Guidance
„ Approach glidepath angles are selectable over
a wide range up to at least 15°, with coverage
to a maximum of 30°.
„ This provides considerable flexibility for
developing multipath approaches.
 Range Guidance
„ The MLS Precision Distance Measuring
Equipment (DME/P) functions the same as the
navigation DME. ,but there are some technical
differences.
„ The beacon transponder operates in the
frequency band 962 to 1105 MHz and responds to
an aircraft interrogator.
„ The MLS DME/P accuracy is improved to be
consistent with the accuracy provided by the MLS
azimuth and elevation stations.
 Range Guidance
„ A DME/P channel is paired with the azimuth and
elevation channel.
„ A complete listing of the 200 paired channels of
the DME/P with the angle functions is contained in
FAA Standard 022 (MLS Interoperability and
Performance Requirements).
„ The DME/N or DME/P is an integral part of the
MLS and is installed at all MLS facilities unless a
waiver is obtained.
 Range Guidance
„ This occurs infrequently and only at outlying, low
density airports where marker beacons or
compass locators are already in place.
„ Accuracy is improved to be consistent with the
accuracy provided by the MLS azimuth and
elevation stations.
Data Communications
„ The data transmission can include both the
basic and auxiliary data words. All MLS
facilities transmit basic data. Where needed,
auxiliary data can be transmitted.

„ Coverage limits. MLS data are transmitted

throughout the azimuth (and back azimuth
when provided) coverage sectors.
Data Communications
„ Basic data content. Representative data
include:
„ (a) Station identification;
„ (b) Exact locations of azimuth, elevation and
DME/P stations (for MLS receiver processing
functions);
„ (c) Ground equipment performance level; and
„ (d) DME/P channel and status.
Data Communications
„ Auxiliary data content: Representative data
include:
„ (a) 3-D locations of MLS equipment;
„ (b) Waypoint coordinates;
„ (c) Runway conditions; and
„ (d) Weather (e.g., RVR, ceiling, altimeter
setting, wind, wake vortex, wind shear).
Operational Flexibility
The MLS has the capability to fulfill a variety of
needs in the approach, landing, missed
approach and departure phases of flight.
For example:
„ (a) Curved and segmented approaches;
„ (b) Selectable glide path angles;
„ (c) Accurate 3-D positioning of the aircraft in
space; and
„ (d) The establishment of boundaries to ensure
clearance from obstructions in the terminal area.
Operational Flexibility
„ While many of these capabilities are available
to any MLS-equipped aircraft, the more
sophisticated capabilities (such as curved
and segmented approaches) are dependent
upon the particular capabilities of the airborne
equipment.
MLS Summary
„ Accuracy. The MLS provides
precision three-dimensional
navigation guidance accurate
enough for all approach and
landing maneuvers.
„ Coverage. Accuracy is
consistent throughout the
coverage volumes.
„ Environment. The system has
low susceptibility to
interference from weather
conditions and airport ground
traffic.
 MLS Summary (cont.)
„ Channels. MLS has 200 channels- enough for
any foreseeable need.

„ Data. The MLS transmits ground-air data

messages associated with the systems
operation.

„ Range information. Continuous range

information is provided with an accuracy of about
100 feet.