Aviation VOR-reading handheld

Garmin is excited to offer this project. A VOR, formally a “VHF Omnidirectional Range” is a radio navigation aid used in aviation since the late 1940s. A VOR is a navigation aid that provides pilots the ability to find the angular position of the VOR, calculated from the phase difference of two 30 Hz sine waves (one FM, one AM) projected from the VOR station.

The goal of this project would be to create a small electronic device that is capable of reading the signals from these VOR stations, one of which is conveniently located on Corvallis Municipal Airport. These values could be then compared to GPS coordinates to evaluate their accuracy, or recorded and compared to compass bearings to see how much magnetic declination has changed since the station was last updated.

Objectives


The project's main deliverable is to compare the demodulated 30 Hz sine waves, and translate that comparison into a angular position, or “radial” from the VOR.

A secondary deliverable is to then do something with this information, such as producing a highly precise device that can be calibrated to a VOR to verify other devices, or to record the data and compare it to magnetic declination. This secondary objective is highly flexible depending on the team's size, skillset, and preferences.

The project can be completed in many ways involving software, off-the-shelf hardware, and custom hardware. Regardless of implementation, be prepared to apply the following engineering concepts and explain how they are used:
- Radio frequency mixing
- AM/FM demodulation
- Digital signal processing

Motivations


VORs are among a class of technologies considered critical infrastructure in the aviation industry, despite the advent of GPS. In fact, there are many planes without electrical systems for GPS in the first place like the Piper Cubs produced in the 1930s. Even airplanes that have other tools like advanced jetliners and military jets still use VORs for a variety of reasons. As such, having the skills to develop software and hardware for these systems is a useful asset to businesses and pioneering individuals that would benefit from using these systems. This project is one of many ways to verify that they are working as expected and iterate in innovative ways on this technology.

Qualifications


Minimum Qualifications:

Some familiarity with, but more importantly willingness to learn about signals and systems in application to aviation.

A lot of ECE coursework already covers the core concepts of Signals and Systems needed for this project, which should get you most of the way there.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with the following would likely make the project easier:
- Digital signal processing
- AM/FM de-modulation
- Radio frequency mixing
- Radio hardware/software


Details


Project Partner:

Andrew Sanders

NDA/IPA:

No Agreement Required

Number Groups:

1

Project Status:

Accepting Applicants

Keywords:
Signals and SystemsaviationradioVORVHF omnidirectional rangeAMFM
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