User's Guide

15
APPENDIX C - PACKED BCD TARGET RETURN FORMAT
The following sequence of numbers:
55220000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
characterize a sample target return from 50, 1-foot range bins represented in a packed BCD
format. This format is a compact way of displaying the summation of returns at different
sensitivity levels from 5 consecutive target illuminations. Each ASCII digit represents a return
from a single 1-foot range bin. The most significant digit represents targets that are closer to the
radar unit. For example, let’s assume the above sequence of digits were sent over the RS-232
link and displayed on the terminal.
The first digit ‘5’ designates that there were target returns in the closest range bin at 1 foot away
for each of the 5 sensitivity settings. Range bins with a value of 5 are most likely target locations.
The third digit ‘2’ designates there were target returns at the 3-foot range bin for two of the 5
sensitivity settings. The user software will accumulate these returns over time and formulate
enough information to determine target locations.