Simulation of Loran-C navigation system including VLF atmospheric noise models (LORSIM)

In recent years there has been increased interest in Loran-C to provide wide area navigation for general aviation. To date, Loran-C has not gained wide acceptance in the aviation field, partly due to the receiver's inability to sustain the required navigation accuracy during precipitous weather. A computer simulation which allows the engineer to analyze a particular design in the presence of atmospheric noise would provide a cost effective analytic tool.;This thesis presents a computer simulation of a Loran-C navigation system (LORSIM) which includes a selection of atmospheric noise models. Simulation validation results against characterization tests and flight tests of actual receivers are presented. Results which show performance sensitivity to certain receiver parameters are also presented. These sensitivity results indicate how the simulation may be used to modify current receivers to achieve improved all weather performance.