Microcircuit Digital Techniques Applied to the Loran-C Receiver

The Loran-C Navigation System affords an extraordinary facility for both high-precision and long-range navigation using radio signals. Its potential is defined largely by the capability of the receiving set and, in the past, also by the skill and patience of a trained operator. There has been a continuing effort by the industry to achieve a receiver that is simple and economical to operate, but which at the same time makes use of the ultimate potential of the Loran-C system. As the title implies, this discussion pertains to comprehensive effort to achieve these objectives by 1) reducing the receiver to a digital system and 2) applying integrated digital microcircuits. The practicability of extending digital techniques in the area of communications and control systems is demonstrated by the receiver being described, which is officially designated the AN/ARN-76.