Introduction

This brochure sets out the basic characteristics of the EKCO E390/564 weather-radar systems developed to meet the very high standards of reliability and performance needed for economic operation of the next generation subsonic and supersonic jets.

The new radar meets the requirements of ARINC Characteristic No. 564 and is available in the following configurations: -

The E390/564 radar has been developed against a long background of successful civil weather radars and embodies the experience and knowledge gained from a vast number of operational hours in both civil and military aircraft. Throughout three generations of radar, the Company has carefully studied future airline requirements, and consistently pioneered advances in the art that have only later been universally adopted. A few of the items in this category introduced since the first Ekco weather-radar installation in 1949 are listed below.

System Design

Ekco introduced the first almost wholly transistorised weather radar into airline service in 1960. The major decrease in weight and size brought about by this development led to the first dual weather-radar system for the BOAC VC10.

The experience gained led directly to the concept of high-integrity dual systems. The E390 equipment for the Concorde prototype is the first system of this type. The principles involved in this method of duplication were presented to the ARINC Weather-Radar Sub-Committee, and subsequently formed the basis of the ARINC-564 dual-system inter-wiring.

Antenna

Many features that have always been an integral part of Ekco designs are now coming into more general use.

Examples are:

Transmitter-Receiver

Ekco were first with the concept of a long transmitter pulse combined with a solid-state modulator, which was introduced in 1966. Current 30kW, 4µs-pulse transmitter-receivers used in the E290 radar are striking evidence of the gains in performance and reliability achieved with these techniques.

Indicator

In the early 1950s, when storage tubes were expensive and unreliable, Ekco introduced the use of very-high-voltage direct-view display tubes in order to provide adequate brightness. The display quality is still unsurpassed and much valuable experience has been gained in the design and manufacture of highly reliable encapsulated EHT generators for these displays.

These indicators also pioneered the use of fixed-coil deflection systems, with their great advantage of mechanical simplicity and reliability.

Ekco introduced the first storage-tube indicator with full electronic brightness control, removing the requirement for crossed polariod filters, which absorb about 60% of the light even when set for maximum transmission.

The points listed above indicate the degree to which Ekco weather-radar designs have been ahead of contemporary thinking. The new E390/564 radar is being handled by the same design team and is intended to provide for the requirements likely to arise during the life of the next generation of subsonic and supersonic aircraft.