Technology has become deeply pervasive in most aspects of human life. While most of us eagerly look for the next iteration of technology change (and I do too!), following the historical evolution of technology is an equally enriching endeavor. I constantly look for vintage aviation parts to add to my collection. One of my recent finds was this sub-component (162C-1) of the larger Doppler Navigation System built in 1959 by Collins Radio.

Austrian physicist Christian Doppler, described the Doppler effect back in 1842. While there are many uses for the Doppler phenomenon, one of its important uses was in airspace navigation. By the late 1940s Doppler use for navigation had become near-ready. Airborne Doppler worked by transmitting radio waves in 3 or 4 directions towards the ground. The reflections from the ground would be measured. The 3 or 4 reflection returns would be integrated to derive many different measures such as ground speed, wind velocity and track.

A collector’s edition of the Collins Radio 1959 catalog confirms that the 162C-1 was the control panel to the DN-103 Doppler Navigation Computer System which integrated with the DN-101 Doppler Navigation Radar System. Early use in aviation, which traces back to the 1960-1961 timeframe, was on the Boeing 707s. The promise of this breakthrough technology was to allow pilots to fly the most direct path possible saving flight time and fuel.

Our history is replete with examples of building blocks of invention which when fueled with an innovative mindset led to more powerful solutions. Radio had been associated with messaging, and audio broadcast. Not many would have thought of radio waves to be of use in measuring key parameters of a fast-moving transport, let alone have imagined its use in integrating information to improve air navigation. We also need to remember that there was no digital computer to integrate all this information… this task was left to analog computers of that day.

Here is a picture of that piece of history…