ADS-B Technology Overview Marc Ramsey marc@ranlog.com PASCO Safety Seminar Oakland, California November 4, 2006

Topics What is ADS-B? How Does ADS-B Work? Why Ground Stations? Broadcast Services Current Continental US ADS-B Coverage Expanded Coverage: 2008 to 2010? Universal Access Transceivers Will ADS-B Replace Transponders? Why Should We Care? What Can We Do?

What is ADS-B? Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast Periodically transmits information with no pilot or operator input Dependent Position and velocity data derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) Surveillance Determines position of aircraft, vehicles, or ground obstructions Broadcast Transmitted data available to anyone with appropriate receiving equipment

How Does ADS-B Work? ADS-B transmitter periodically transmit: Unique identifier 3D Position and velocity vector from GPS Altitude from pressure sensor and/or GPS ADS-B receiver receives: Data from nearby ADS-B transmitters Traffic and weather data from ground stations ADS-B transceiver transmits and receives Two types of ADS-B devices Mode S/ES (Extended Squitter) at 1090 MHz UAT (Universal Access Transceiver) at 978 MHz Intended for General Aviation use

Why Ground Stations? Receive position/velocity data from ADS-B (both UAT and S/ES) equipped aircraft Pass received data to ATC system Obtain traffic data from ATC system for other ADS-B and transponder equipped aircraft Broadcast composite traffic data Broadcast weather and airspace data Each station has a range of 100 to 150 miles

Who Can See Who? GS Ground Station SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar

Broadcast Services: TIS-B Traffic Information Service Provides real-time position reports ADS-B equipped aircraft Mode B/C equipped aircraft from secondary surveillance radar data

Broadcast Services: FIS-B Flight Information Service National Weather Service products NEXRAD Special use airspace Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)

Current Continental US ADS-B Coverage

Expanded Coverage: 2008 to 2010?

Universal Access Transceiver Transmits current state vector (3D position/velocity) once per second Receives TIS-B and FIS-B Low transmit power requirements Low power (limited to 18,000 feet) 7 to 18 watts Medium power (no alt. Restriction) 16 to 40 watts Short transmit duty cycle (0.03%) Garmin GDL 90 Only UAT currently certified $8000 without display $16,500 with color display

Will ADS-B Replace Transponders? Short answer: eventually… Most air transport aircraft equipped by 2020 Most other aircraft equipped by 2030 Advantages Precise position data on all aircraft in ATC system UAT transceivers will eventually be smaller, lighter, and use less current than Mode C ADS-B ground stations less expensive and cover wider area than primary/secondary radar systems What’s holding it up? Lack of integration with TCAS Lack of ground stations

Why Should We Care? Potential benefits Potential Issues Allow gliders, paragliders, hangliders, etc. to be fully integrated into future ATC system Ultimately much lower power requirements than existing Mode C or S transponders Integrated collision avoidance Real-time glider tracking for contests, etc. Potential Issues Short term lack of suitable units Competition UAT equipped gliders can be tracked by competitors Weather data available to UAT equipped competitors

What Can We Do? Push for short term installation of ground station in Reno area Propose pilot program involving subsidized installation of UATs in Reno area gliders Ask for waiver allowing occasional use of low power UATs in wave windows Can we interest someone in developing low cost, low power UAT using PDA as display? Other ideas?

Winch Launch Update Recent trip to UK BGA transition training Lasham Bicester Cambridge Remember to get your medical form BGA transition training 2 to 4 normal launches 2 high failures 2 medium failures 2 low failures Any interest? Contact me