Design and application of computers for radar data processing

The paper describes the operational tasks which will have to be carried out by a radar data handling system associated with an air traffic control centre¿for example track initiation and prediction, data link interpretation, compilation of the air situation, aircraft control and safety, etc. Based on these considerations, the specification of a computer to perform these functions is discussed. Consideration is given to the possible use of analogue and specialpurpose computers but it is concluded that these are not suited to the task. Instead, a general-purpose digital computer would be required incorporating some special instruction facilities to assist the particular types of processing involved. This computer would use random access core storage for data and, possibly, program, although some form of permanent storage for the latter must also be provided. It is also shown that for good reliability and availability redundancy must be built into the system together with monitoring and maintenance aids.