PORTABLE TESTER FOR LAAS GROUND FACILITY

A portable tester verifies the operational status of a satellite-based navigation ground facility. The portable tester includes a receiver and a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver obtains Global Position System (GPS) signals from a plurality of satellites and Very High Frequency (VHF) broadcasts from the ground facility. The computer compares the data obtained from the receiver with expected results and determines if the ground facility is operational if not operational, the computer determines a subsection of the ground facility causing the failure. If the ground facility is not operating properly, it may not transmit the proper differential corrections and glidepath information to an aircraft. As a result, a pilot may not receive accurate information regarding the aircraft's position. This may result in landings that do not closely follow a prescribed glidepath, which could be disastrous. By using the portable tester, the ground facility can be tested to ensure proper data will be sent to the aircraft.