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LOng RAnge NavigationLORAN, (Class II navigation)

AST 241
Dr. Barnhart

LORAN Overview
1st Modern practical area navigation system
for use in general aviation.
Developed for maritime navigation. Early
LORAN As were exclusively for marine
use
Still in use today although its use beyond 6
8 years from now is uncertain

LORAN Overview
Certain LORAN-C receivers are approved for IFR
Enroute and Terminal navigation but not for
approaches.
Most LORAN-C recievers are used for VFR
navigation
For all practical purposes (for the pilot) LORANC provides the same type of nav. Data to the pilot (
ground track, desired track, groundspeed, ETE)

LORAN-C Theory
Operates in the LOW frequency
electromagnetic energy radio bandwidth
which follows the curvature of the earth
therefore making it suitable for longer
ranges

LORAN Theory
The LORAN-C concept is based on groups
or chains of stations around the world.
Worldwide there are 28 chains.
Each chain consists of one master station
and 4 6 secondary stations in a geographic
area (ie. Northeast U.S.chain, Great Lakes
U.S. chain, etc.)

LORAN Theory
The master station of each chain broadcasts
a continuous string of Low Frequency
pulses (measures in microseconds).
The unique time between the start and stop
of each pulse identifies the particular chain.

LORAN Theory
This time is known as the Group Repetition
Interval or GRI.
For instance the time between the start and
stop of each pulse in the northeast U.S.
chain is 99,600 microseconds or 9960 for
short. 9960 is identified as the great lakes
chain

LORAN Theory
The GRI is entered into the LORAN-C unit
in the aircraft upon startup along with the
approximate LAT./Long. Position during the
initialization process. This helps the unit
find its position more quickly.

LORAN Theory
The LORAN-C unit then searches for that
master station and the two strongest
secondary signals.
The master station pulse triggers a response
from the secondary stations. The receiver
corrects for any time lag in pulse reply.

LORAN Theory
The receiver then calculates the time it
takes these signals to reach the aircraft and
essentially generates hyperbolic Lines of
Position (LOP) from each station- known
as a hyperbolic lines of position since the
lines look like a parabola.

LORAN Theory
Two intersecting hyperbolas produce two
possible points for the aircraft position.
Using a second slave (or secondary) station
the receiver then pinpoints its position.
Entering the Lat./long. During initialization
also aids in this process.

LORAN Limitations
Area of coverage limited to chains which
dont give global coverage
The sky wave component of the signal
bounces off the ionosphere causing
navigational errors when traveling greater
than 1,000 NM from the farthest master or
secondary station- causes errors in position
of up to three miles (greater in some cases).

LORAN Limitations- sky waves


1,000 miles is significant as at ranges less
than this, the ground wave is significantly
greater in strength than the sky waves
therefore the receiver is programmed to
reject the weaker sky waves.

LORAN Limitations- sky waves


At distances of between 1,000 and 1,400
NM the ground and sky waves are
approximately the same strength making the
signals seem the same to the receiver.
Since the sky waves take longer to reach the
receiver than the ground waves, this leads
to position errors.

LORAN Limitations- sky waves


Manufacturers deal with in one of two ways
Programming the receivers to reject all sky
waves thereby reducing the effective range of
the unit (but maximizing the accuracy)
Informing the user that nav. Data may be
inaccurate between 1,000 and 1,400 NM
At ranges greater than 1,400 NM, the receivers
can be programmed to use the sky wave

LORAN Limitations
As the aircraft moves through precipitation, it
generates static electricity which generates
electromagnetic noise around the aircraft
thereby interfering with the LORAN signalcausing the Signal Strength to Noise ratio (SNR
ratio) to go to unacceptable limits.
SNR ratio is a function of precip. Intensity and
distance from the stations.

LORAN- Accuracy
LORAN accuracy is also best over water
during the day.
Conversely it is least accurate over land
masses at night (sky waves more intense at
night).

LORAN Accuracy
Repeatable Accuracy- ability to return to a
pre-set position for LORAN-C is .01 NM or
60ft.
Absolute Accuracy- ability of the receiver
to determine its position independently is
generally within at least 3 NM for distances
up to 2,800 NM.

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