A comparison between frequency modulation and amplitude modulation for a distance measuring equipment.

Abstract

Missiles of various types have become operational in the Armed Forces with the current emphasis shifting to the long-range ballistic missile. To study the characteristics of these missiles in flight, a method of accurately positioning the missile is necessary to obtain the desired scientific data. The Cubic Corporation of San Diego, California has developed an accurate system for determining missile position which is presently operational for short-range missiles but the need exists to extend the range to the 2000 mile magnitude or greater to handle the ballistic missile. The prime purpose of obtaining scientific data dictates a high degree of accuracy for this system. A theoretical comparison in performance between amplitude modulation and frequency modulation is made for the distance-measuring equipment of the Cubic ranging system. This comparison includes not only the present operational system, but also the proposed methods of extending system range by removing the present threshold level through correlation techniques.