ADS-B

What is ADS-B

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is the cornerstone of the FAA’s NextGen air transportation system. Basically it provides controllers and pilots with an aircraft's position, using GPS position information that is broadcast on either Mode S transponders or UAT’s (Universal Access Transceiver). Pilots will now be able to see real time position of other aircraft in their vicinity, the same information that controllers are seeing.

ADS-B stands for:

  • A utomatic No pilot or controller action required
  • D ependent It depends Global Navigation Satellite position input
  • S urveillance It provides "radar-like" surveillance to equipped aircraft and ATC
  • B roadcast It continuously broadcasts aircraft position and other data to any properly equipped aircraft and ground station.

Why ADS-B

  • Full Airspace Coverage ADS-B equipment can be installed in areas where it is not feasible to establish radar-based surveillance equipment. For instance, ADS-B equipment will be installed on oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, delivering substantial safety and efficiency benefits to air traffic flying over the area.
  • TIS-B Traffic Information Service-Broadcast.  When fully implemented ADS-B equipped aircraft will be able to receive and display the position of all other ADS-B equipped aircraft in their vicinity, either through aircraft-to-aircraft transmission of position or through the rebroadcast of aircraft position from a network of 794 strategically located ground stations.  ITT is currently on track to have the full US network of ground stations in place by the end 2013. 
  • FIS-B Flight Information Service-Broadcast.  UAT equipped aircraft with be able to receive transmitted flight information from 794 strategically located ground stations.  Initial FIS-B data will include cockpit weather.

 

ADS-B Formats  There are two current systems that will fulfill ADS-B requirements.

  • 1090ES is a based on Mode S transponders.  1090ES (Extended Squitter) systems will ‘squitter’ TIS-B information which can be displayed by other ADS-B equipped aircraft.   There is currently no provision for 1090ES to receive FIS-B information.

 

  • UAT (Universal Access Tranceiver) is a new and attractive alternative to 1090ES and provides the user with both TIS-B and FIS-B.  Initial FIS-B information includes weather in the cockpit.  This weather information is free to the user and will carry no subscription fees.

 

Sandia ADS-B solutions

  • 1090ES  for aircraft with Collins TDR94D transponders and Garmin 400W/500W navigators Sandia has the ADC 7-35-01 which allows the Garmin GPS to talk to the Collins transponder.  This unit was developed in conjunction with a major helicopter operator.  In addition to providing the interface from onboard GPS receivers to Mode S transponders, the SAC 7-35-01 is also a full function airdata computer. 

SAC 7-35-01 Interface Apadter for ADS-B Out

  • UAT  Sandia Aerospace has been working with ITT to provide a low cost solution for ADS-B.  The end result will be a low cost UAT systems that provides both IN (receive) and OUT (transmission of position) data.  There will be both a panel mounted and remote solution to fit the requirements of your particular installation.  The panel mounted Sandia UAT has a target list price of $3500 and is scheduled for release in early 2011.  Check this site regularly to see progress on this exciting unit.