P-37

Introduction

The P-37 radar modernization program started in 1997 and the HM Arzenál Co. handed over the first modernized radar to the Hungarian Army in 1999.
In the Hungarian Army the fulfilment of the air surveillance tasks are based on these modernized P-37 radars taking part in the creation of the uniform European air space situation.

P-37

Main features of modernization

Preparation for toleration of increased load (24 hours operation), among different weather conditions.
Increasing the radar's reliability and building in advanced fault diagnostics functions
Connection with digital signal processing and signal coupling to the modern, central air surveillance systems, even in
the case when the radar is a mobile, deployed unit.
Realization of limited height-finding capability using the digital signal processing of five receiving channels.
Integration of secondary radar.
Realization of analogue and synthetic radar signals integrated on a uniform displaying surface.
Replacement of many electron tube cabinets and units by new units based on up-to-date parts, by which the reliability
and availability of the radar can be improved, and the adjustment and service demand will decrease at the same time.
Improvement of the working conditions of the operators, by creation of a more spacious air conditioned instrument cabinet, where a computer-based working place significantly helps and eases the operator's activities.

Transmitter system

The transmitter system of the P-37 is magnetron-based. After the modernization the basic principle has still remained, but we replaced the magnetron and thyratron units by new types with longer lifetime and more stable operation. The spectrum of the emitted signal of the transmitter has become clearer, and the operation safety of the equipment has significantly increased.

The performed modifications:

Replacement of MI-29 magnetrons with type MI-503
Replacement of the whole thyratron block
Modification of transmitter protection system
Modification of internal cable system

Features:

Fivefold lifetime
Clearer transmitter spectrum
More balanced continuous operation
Operation possible with MI-29 magnetron, too

P-37 Transmitter system

Receiving and signal processing system

Replacement of the receiving and signal processing unit of the radar has brought a change of many generations.

The old structure with tubes and discrete-semiconductors has been replaced with a digital signal processor-based receiver.
The radar is fully digital from the IF stages.

The performed modifications:

Replacement of the electronic and mechanic elements of
the whole receiving and signal processing unit
IF signal amplifying channel
AFC IF channel
Local oscillator and AFC system
I-Q system coherent processing
Amplitude operation mode
Mixed operation modes
Moving target indication (MTI)
CFAR
Supporting the height-finding

P-37 Receiving and signal processing system

Features:

IF stage sampling (14 bits, 50MS/s)
The second mixing and the forming of the I-Q channels are carried out digitally, with counter-type
oscillator and multiplier-type mixer.
Digital filter for IF bandwidth setting
"Software receiver", the realization of every further receiving function is carried out with signal-processing processor
Analogue and digital-coded analogue channel outputs
Plot extractor
ARCNET network communication
Continuous operation checking

High frequency pre-amplifier

High frequency pre-amplifier stage built with travelling wave oscillator has been replaced with a fully semiconductor preamplifier, so its lifetime increased and is not susceptible to ageing. It provides the specified sensitivity throughout its whole lifetime.

Instead of different constant-frequency units per channels, identical wide band preamplifiers have been built in.

The performed modifications:

Replacement of the whole high-frequency pre-amplifier.
Increased protection against the signals of the own transmitter system.
Modification of the cable system.

Features:

Fully semiconductor design.
Minimal -86 dB sensitivity in every band (typically -87-89 dB).
Interchangeability regarding the five channels.
Compatibility with the non-modernized P-37 radars.

Objective control

The logged data can be replayed from a given time. By this the equipment realizes the full-scale objective control. The program provides an opportunity to select the recorded data. In this way they can be filtered by conditions given by the operator. By the help of this function a new, smaller database can be created that contains only the important data from the point of view of control.

Logging:

Analog video picture
Synthetic radar information
Error messages
Operator's activities

Replaying:

Logged data can be replayed from a given time
Representation and filtering possibilities provided by the displaying subsystem operate during replaying, too
Speed of replaying can be changed (1/8-16x).

Taking snapshots:

The snapshot does not store the actual picture as a photograph, but records the data of the given air situation
After loading the snapshot there is the possibility to change the centre and the zoom factor, moreover, the appearing information can be filtered at will, as in normal operation

Local oscillator

The structure of the local oscillators is electronically tuned and moving parts free.

The performed modifications:

Realization of high-frequency basic signal.
Step raster of 25 or 50 kHz.
AFC function.
Real IF frequency checking and displaying.
High frequency stability and favourable phase noise.
Amplitude amplifying onto a level suitable for the mixers.

Controlling and Displaying Unit (CDU)

The Controlling and Displaying Unit is installed in the instrument cabin. The signals get to the operator's workplace via computer networks. In order to check the digital signals, they are retransformed for the PP indicators.

The duty of the CDU is to establish the man-machine interface between the operator and radar. This unit allows the radar's switching on and off, selection of different operation modes, adjustment of the different units of the radar, and displays on a uniform surface the analogue and synthetic air picture, moreover it provides the objective control functions, too.

Controlling and Displaying Unit

Modifications carried out in the instrument cabin:

CDU (digital indicator)
- Analogue indicator picture displaying
- Synthetic radar picture (primary, secondary plots)
- Taking over the remote control functions
- IBM compatible personal computer with 18" TFT monitor
- RS422 data output interface with primary and secondary plot channels for data transmission
Application of two pieces PP indicators with digital interfaces for analogue picture displaying
New, remote control computer (notebook)
Local network installation
New power-current distribution box
Air conditioning system

Power-current distribution box

Air conditioning system

The CDU is a personal computer-based equipment, which - for the sake of a good handling and being clear-cut - has two displaying surfaces. The total air picture appears on the basic surface and the operator can get an overall picture about radar operation. This surface provides the adjustment of radar units and different displaying methods, furthermore it gives detailed information about the condition of radar units.

Every function is available on the basic surface, but in order to continuously watch the radar information the operator performs the radar control and the selection of the different operation modes on the auxiliary touch-screen terminal.

General features of CDU: / Controlling and Displaying Unit (CDU)

Realizes man-machine interface.
Displays the analogue indicator picture.
Displays the synthetic radar information
On a serial port it distributes the plot data for the HE (Higher Echelon).
It continuously receives the status data from different radar units, evaluates them and informs the operator about their condition.
In order to realize the objective control the logging is continuous, which allows the replaying of the recorded data,
and the operator can take photos as well.

Determinants of height-finding

The four lower receiver channels play the most important role, therefore all of them must operate. Otherwise - in certain domains - the error increases. Height-finding accuracy increases with more receivers detecting the same target. The program makes it possible to enter the domain of height-finding, then it calculates the optimal elevation of lower and upper antennas and the average beam overlap can be reached in this way.

Height finding works under the best conditions when the beam overlap is as high as possible.

Control possibilities / Controlling and Displaying Unit (CDU)

Transmitter system:

Switching on and off the transmitters
Displaying the magnetron currents, protection of transmitters
Displaying the status and error messages
Selection among different trigger modes
Activation and adjustment of counter-measure against homing missiles
Providing the selection of polarization in the three lower channels

Rotary system:

Starting and stopping the rotation
Displaying the actual revolutions per minute
Adjustment and displaying of the elevation of lower and upper antennas

Receiver system:

Switching on and off the receivers
Adjustment of the common and individual receiver amplifications
Noise level adjustment (in case of CFAR)
Adjustment of coherent receipt limit
Adjustment of plot extractor threshold
Switching on and off the different receiving operation modes (filters)

Secondary radar:

Switching on and off the Siemens 1990
Adjustment of different interrogation modes
Activation of different testing and checking possibilities
Displaying the status and error messages of the equipment

Displaying possibilities / CDU

Horizontal or vertical displaying mode
Unified displaying surface
Displaying the analogue indicator picture, in case of zooming the resolution is automatically increased
Displaying the synthetic radar information (primary or secondary plot, secondary track)
Displaying the static information (state borders, rivers, lakes, scale-signs, limits of digital signal processing, etc.)
Filtering possibility in accordance with the information source (primary or secondary)
Filtering possibility in accordance with the altitude
Possibility for switching and rotation of secondary track labels
Possibility for modification of the zoom factor, and the possibility for changing the representation center
Possibilities for direction- and distance measurement
Colour and symbol set which can be defined by the user

Supporting the error detection

By the continuous transmission of status information the program sends information for the operator about the condition of the radar units, supporting to a great extent the error detection and trouble shooting, if necessary.

Receiving and displaying of status data:

Analogue video signal additive mixer
Analogue indicator interface
ARCNET router and summarizer
Azimuth and elevation converter
Receiving and signal processing units
Secondary radar interface

The operator's activity is supported by displaying the condition of units and subsystems by flash signals. The program also gives textual information about the status of whole system.

Control system

The adjustment of the receiver operation modes can be carried out in a software way. For this purpose we have replaced the cable systems and switch signals having many error-possibilities with a digital control system.

The number of the rotating joint signals has decreased. It performs the control of the transmitter system, the tasks of rotation, trigger signal generation, azimuth and elevation system, and includes secondary radar extractor.

Control system

The performed modifications:

Matching the heavy-current control system of the transmitter-receiver cabinet to the new system
Omitting the ą27 V switching signals of rotating joint
Simplification of cabin cable system
Safety logic built together with fire alarm system for unattended heating of the cabin in winter
Collecting and transmitting of checking signals
Trigger signal generation by internal or external synchronization
Azimuth and elevation data digitalization by keeping the original selsynes
Sequential rotating system control
Additive mixing the analogue signals of the five receivers
Secondary radar extractor
ARCNET network management