Design of a GBAS/GRAS satellite augmentation system for the Internarional Fair of Havana

Abstract

Conventional air navigation aid systems used in Cuba do not offer good performance given the sustained growth of airport operations registered in the country in recent years. Due to this, it is necessary to have more up-to-date systems capable of providing better provision of approach and position determination services in view of the increased air traffic in the country. In this study, the design of a regional ground-based satellite augmentation system to support operations in all phases of flight, including route, terminal and instrument approach with vertical guidance, was carried out. For this, a theoretical analysis of the technical characteristics of GBAS was performed, specifically those allowing the development of a GRAS from multiple GBAS transmitting stations with overlapping coverage. The radio propagation calculations were verified to guarantee the technical requirements established by the ICAO, and the locations of the ground equipment were proposed in territorial different airports such as Havana, Playa Baracoa, San Antonio de los Baños, Nueva Gerona, Cayo Largo del Sur, Varadero, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara. The results achieved guarantee precision approach and landing procedures at the chosen airports in the face of increased airport operations, and also the position determination service throughout the West and part of the central region of the country.