Britain Could Switch Off Airport Radar and Release 5G Spectrum

judgecorp writes "Britain is considering switching off air traffic control radar systems and using "passive radar" instead. A two year feasibility study will consider using a network of ground stations which monitor broadcast TV signals and measure echoes from aircraft to determine their location and velocity. The system is not a new idea — early radar experiments used BBC shortwave transmitters as a signal source before antenna technology produced a transceiver suitable for radar — but could now be better than conventional radar thanks to new antenna designs and signal processing techniques. It will also save money and energy by eliminating transmitters — and release spectrum for 5G services."

Comments

Good idea

[Joce640k]

It works for detecting stealth fighters over Iran, it should certainly work for non-stealth commercial aircraft.

Re:Government control of private transmitters?

[sa1lnr]

All of the BBC's transmitters were sold off to a private company years ago as part of the Broadcasting Act 1990.