Abstract: In order to accurately analyze the angle error of the microwave landing system (MLS) receiver in the multipath environment, an error research method based on the equivalent replacement of the scanning beaming main lobe is presented. By using the Gaussian bell-shaped replacement of the “to and fro” scanning beaming main lobe, an accurate calculation of the leading and trailing error of -3 dB threshold of the received scanning pulse is completed. The peak location error model and Dwell Gate processor measurement error model for received pulse envelope are established. To verify the model accuracy, the proposed method is applied to calculating the angle error of the receiver in the specific multipath environment. What is more, the results are compared with the calculation results using classical Mathias model. Comparison of them shows that the new method can overcome the limitation and deficiency of the classical model in the exact error calculation. Moreover, it is of some practical value in correct assessment of the angle measurement accuracy.

Key words: navigation technology of aircraft, multipath propagation, microwave landing system, angle error, simulation, modeling, accuracy