Mode S Introduction INDRA PDF

TRAINING COURSE
BASIC CONCEPTS ON MSSR

MODE-S SYSTEMS
Surveillance Radar Systems

ATM
Doc. Nº: 0011810000800MA07

Edition: 4 Revision: 0
Date: 14/02/2014
WARNING OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Warning of Confidentiality
Indra owns the copyright of this document which is supplied confidentially and must not be used for
any purpose other than that for which it is supplied. It must not be reproduced either wholly or
partially, copied or transmitted to any person without the authorization of Indra.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
Basic Concepts on MSSR Mode-S Systems | 2
14/02/2014
DOCUMENTATION CONTROL
PAGE EDITION AND REVISION RECORD DOCUMENT CHANGES RECORD
PAGE EDITION REVISION EDITION REVISION DATE AFFECTED PAGES REASON OF THE CHANGES
1 to 55 1 0 1 0 14/04/2008 All First Edition.
1 to 55 2 0 2 0 26/02/2009 All Update.
1 to 56 3 0 3 0 23/05/2011 All Update.
1 to 113 4 0 4 0 14/02/2014 All Update.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
ACRONYMS
AA Announced Address
AST All-purpose Structured Eurocontrol Radar Information Exchange
ASTERIX All-purpose Structured Eurocontrol Radar Information Exchange
ATC Air Traffic Control
ATN Air Traffic Network
BDS Binary Data Source
BITE Built-In Test Equipment
BST Beacon System Trigger
CAT Category
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Code
DAP Downlink of Aircraft Parameters
dB Decibel
DF Downlink Format
EHS Enhanced Surveillance
ELM Extended Length Message
ELS Elementary Surveillance
FREQ Frequency
FT Feet
GTC Gain Time Control
Hz Hertz
HW Hardware
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
ACRONYMS
IC Interrogator Code
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation
ID Identification
II Interrogator Identifier Code
IISLS Improved Interrogation Side Lobe Suppression
INT Interrogation
IP Internet Protocol
IRF Interrogation Repetition Frequency
ISLS Interrogator Side-Lobe Suppression
ISO International Standards Organization
LVA Large Vertical Array
MHz Megahertz
MSSR Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar
MSSR-S Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar Mode S
NM Nautical Mile
OBA Off Boresight Angle
PPM Pulse Position Modulation
PR Reply Probability
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
RF Radiofrequency
RX Reception
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
ACRONYMS
SDP Surveillance Data Processing

SI Surveillance Identifier Code
SIC System Identification Code
SLM Standard Length Message
SLS Side-Lobe Suppression
SPI Special Position Indicator
SPR Sync Phase Reversal
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar
STC Sensitivity Time Control
SW Software
SWR Standing Wave Ratio
TRG Trigger
TX Transmission
TXP Transponder
UAP User Application Profile
UCS Supervision and Control Unit
UDP User Datagram Protocol
UF Uplink Format
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INDEX
01 - Secondary Surveillance Radar Systems 04 - Evolution from MSSR to Mode-S

 Conventional SSR System  SSR Problems
 Monopulse SSR System  Solutions by Mode-S
 Mode-S Improvements
02 - Basic Interrogation Concepts  Compatibilities with SSR
 Interrogation Frequency
 Interrogation Modes 05 - Introduction to Mode-S
 Interrogation Format  Operational Levels
 Repetition Frequency & Stagger  Communication Capabilities
 ISLS Technique  All-Call & Surveillance Processes
 IISLS Technique  Uplink Formats
 Downlink Formats
03 - Basic Reception Concepts  Detection & Processing of Replies
 Reception Frequency  Tracking & Plot Processing
 GTC/STC Functions
 RSLS Technique
 Monopulse Technique
 Reply Detection
 Target Detection
 Tracking Process
 Plot Generation
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR SYSTEMS
Conventional SSR System
Cooperative & Independent
Interrogation Reply
TRANSPONDER
(1030 MHz) (1090 MHz)
2 Antenna
Gain Patterns:
Σ&Ω
Σ Decoding delay: 3 µs
OBTAINED INFORMATION:
 Target Range
Ω  Target Azimuth → sliding window technique
 Aircraft identity (Mode A)
 Flight level (Mode C)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Conventional SSR System
 A Conventional Secondary Surveillance Radar System is a Cooperative Independent radar system used in Air Traffic Control for tracking of aircraft
which includes both ground-base and airborne elements.
 It is Independent because it emittes a coded signal to be detected by airborne equipment of aircraft => Interrogation or Up-link.
 It is Cooperative because it needs to receive a specified signal from aircraft to detect it => Reply or Down-link.
 A Transponder is an airborne equipment of aircraft used to reply to SSR interrogations.
 The use of an airborne transponder allows the use of a different frequency to reply (1090 MHz) to the frequency used by the ground transmitter (1030
MHz).
 Two interrogation modes are normally used in ATC:
 Mode 3/A: common civil and military identification.
 Mode C: Flight level.
 A ground station of a SSR system uses a LVA antenna with two radiation patterns together, named SUM and OMNI (or CONTROL).
 An LVA antenna consists of a number of columns (each column is a vertical linear array of radiating elements) arranged in a horizontal linear array to
produce a front two-dimensional beam.
 The Sum radiation pattern (Ʃ) consists of a narrow main lobe of high gain with low sidelobes around.
 The Omni or Control radiation pattern (Ω) is designed to only cover the side lobes of the SUM pattern, thus it has a gain equal in all directions and
greater than the SUM gain, except for the narrow main lobe of the SUM pattern on which has a null.
 An SSR transponder replies to an interrogation, 3 ± 0.5 µsec after its detection. This delay is taken into account by the interrogator to determine the
aircraft range from the radar antenna position (distance origin).
 The azimuth of the transponder position is determined by the interrogator using the sliding window technique. This technique is currently replaced for
monopulse technique in the new SSR systems called MSSR.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Monopulse SSR System
Cooperative & Independent
Interrogation Reply
TRANSPONDER
(1030 MHz) (1090 MHz)
3 Antenna
Σ
Gain Patterns:
Σ, Ω & Δ
Δ Decoding delay: 3 µs
OBTAINED INFORMATION:
 Target Range
Ω  Target Azimuth (better Accuracy) → Monopulse technique: Σ & Δ

 Aircraft identity (Mode A)
 Flight level (Mode C)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Monopulse SSR System
 A Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar System is an SSR system which applies the monopulse technique in reception to improve the
accuracy for obtaining the azimuth of an aircraft or target.
 The azimuth of a target is the angle that its position has respect to the North line located on the radar antenna position which is considered as
coordinates origin.
 Monopulse is a technique wherein the amplitudes and phases of the signal received from an aircraft (reply) through overlapping antenna lobes of
SUM (Ʃ) and DIFFERENCE (Δ) gain patterns are compared to estimate the angle of arrival of that signal.
 The Difference radiation pattern (Δ) consists of two narrow main lobes simetrically located on each side of the antenna boresight
 Antenna boresight is the central axis of the main lobe of the antenna SUM gain pattern.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INDEX
01 - Introduction 04 - Evolution from MSSR to Mode-S

 Secondary Surveillance Radar  SSR Problems
 Solutions by Mode-S
02 - Basic Interrogation Concepts  Mode-S Improvements
 Interrogation Frequency  Compatibilities with SSR
 Interrogation Modes
 Interrogation Format 05 - Introduction to Mode-S
 Repetition Frequency & Stagger  Operational Levels
 ISLS Technique  Communication Capabilities
 IISLS Technique  All-Call & Surveillance Processes
 Uplink Formats
03 - Basic Reception Concepts  Downlink Formats
 Reception Frequency  Detection & Processing of Replies
 GTC/STC Functions  Tracking & Plot Processing
 RSLS Technique
 Reply Detection
 Plot Generation
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
BASIC INTERROGATION CONCEPTS
Interrogation Frequency
1030 MHz
TX FREQ
INT. MODES
MODE A/C SYSTEMS:
INTERROGATION  The carrier frequency of the interrogation is 1030 MHz ±0.2 MHz
UPLINK
 The polarization of the interrogation is predominantly vertical
IRF & STAGGER

MODE-S SYSTEMS:
ISLS
 The carrier frequency of the interrogation is 1030 MHz ±0.01 MHz
 The polarization of the interrogation is nominally vertical

IISLS
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogation Modes
TX FREQ
INT. MODES
INTERROGATION MODES
INTERROGATION
UPLINK
 Mode 1
 Mode 2 Military Use
 Mode 3/A
IRF & STAGGER
 Mode B Civil Use
 Mode C
ISLS  Mode D
ATC Modes → 3/A & C

IISLS
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogation Modes
 Military Mode 1 interrogation is usually used to request role, mission or type of aircraft , therefore several military aircraft may give the same Mode 1
reply value.
 Military Mode 2 is usually used to request airframe number of an individual aircraft.
 Military Mode 3 and Civil Mode A are the same interrogation mode, which is usually referred as Mode 3/A and used to request identity of an
individual aircraft.
 Civil Mode C interrogation is used to request the aircraft flight level with a resolution of 100ft and within the range of -1000ft to +126,750ft. This is
derived from the aircraft pressure altimeter.
 Civil Modes B and D have never been used.
 Modes A and C are only used for civil air traffic control purposes.
 Not all aircraft transponders are able to reply to all interrogation modes:
 Military aircraft transponders will reply to Modes 1,2,3/A and many also have Mode C capability.
 Civil aircraft transponders will not recognize Modes 1 and 2, but must recognize Modes 3/A and C.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogation Format
Mode 3/A: 8.0 µs

TX FREQ Mode C: 21.0 µs
INT. MODES P1 P3
INTERROGATION
UPLINK
0.8µs 0.8µs
IRF & STAGGER

INTERROGATION PULSES
ISLS
IISLS
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogation Format
 The interrogation consist of two pulses named P1 and P3.
 These pulses are transmitted in RF to the transmission frequency via the antenna directional pattern (Ʃ) of the interrogator.
 The interval between P1 and P3 determines the mode of interrogation as follows:
 Mode 1: 3 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode 2: 5 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode 3/A: 8 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode B: 17 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode C: 21 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode D: 25 ± 0.2 µsec.
 The features of this pulses as indicated below:
 The pulse duration is 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec.
 The rise time is between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.
 The fall time is between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Repetition Frequency & Stagger
 IRF (Interrogation Repetition Frequency) corresponds with the

average of the number of interrogations per second transmitted
by the radar.
 The term IRF is equivalent to the term PRF, which can have a
TX FREQ value between 50 and 450 Hz according to EUROCONTROL
specification.
INT. MODES
It determines the number of
INTERROGATION interrogations per second
UPLINK
IRF & STAGGER

 Stagger is a function that slightly varies the Interrogation
Repetition Period (around µsec) with a pseudo-random sequence
ISLS
of predetermined values.
IISLS Used to avoid the correlation of undesired

replies for both cases, out-range replies
(second-time-around) or replies to other close
interrogators
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Repetition Frequency & Stagger
 SSR interrogations are transmitted with a stable pulse reception frequency which is known with the term PRF.
 To control this synchronization of interrogations, interrogators use an internal trigger signal called BST.
 However, a stable PRF can give rise to “second-time-around” or problems on close interrogators, as indicated below:
 Second-time-around happens when replies are received within the period corresponding to the next transmitted interrogation with respect to
the interrogation that caused them, generating incorrect replies and possible false plots.
 When aircraft are within the overlapping coverage areas of two or more interrogators which use a similar PRF, the replies transmitted by the
aircrafts transponders are received by all those interrogators, generating incorrect replies and possible false plots.
 Both problems can be avoided if the interrogation period is subjected to a small randomizing or stagger. Thus, the undesired replies received within
a group of consecutive interrogation periods and belonging to the same aircraft will not be correlated in distance and the interrogator will be able
delete easily.
 Stagger function varies the period between interrogations within a ± 5% range, approximately.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
ISLS Technique
INTERROGATION SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION
Used to avoid reply

generation to
interrogations by
side lobes
TX FREQ
INT. MODES
Transponder
suppression
INTERROGATION
UPLINK
for 35 µsec.
IRF & STAGGER
ISLS
IISLS
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
ISLS Technique
 ISLS technique is used to prevent aircraft transponders reply to interrogations received from the side lobes of the interrogator directional antenna (Ʃ).
 This function consist of a control pulse, named P2, transmitted to the transmission frequency via the antenna omni-directional pattern (Ω) of the
interrogator.
 The transponder replies to the interrogation when the amplitude of P1 is greater than the amplitude of P2 by more than 9 dB. Between 0 and 9 dB
(undefined region) the transponder may or may not reply.
 The transponder is suppressed when the received amplitude of P2 is equal to or bigger than the received amplitude of P1. The transponder
suppression is for a period of 35.0 ± 10.0 µsec.
 Control Pulse Features:
 The pulse is transmitted following the first interrogation pulse (P1).
 The interval between P1 and P2 is 2.0 ± 0.15 µsec.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
IISLS Technique
IMPROVED INTERROGATION SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION
Used to avoid replying to

interrogations received through
close reflectors, suppressing TXP
TX FREQ for 35 ± 10 µsec.
INT. MODES
INTERROGATION
UPLINK
IRF & STAGGER
ISLS
IISLS
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
IISLS Technique
 IISLS technique is used to prevent replies of transponders to interrogations received via reflectors near to the interrogator antenna.
 This function transmits the pulse P1 together with the control pulse P2 via the antenna omnidirectional pattern (Ω) of the interrogator.
 When transponders receive the interrogation signal from the antenna omnidirectional pattern (Ω), they are suppressed for a period of 35.0 ± 10.0
µsec, avoiding the detection of the reflected signal corresponding to the antenna directional pattern (Ʃ) which arrives later.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INDEX

 Uplink Formats
 RSLS Technique
 Reply Detection
 Plot Generation
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
BASIC RECEPTION CONCEPTS
Reception Frequency
1090 MHz
RX FREQ
GTC/STC
Mode A/C Systems:

RSLS
 The carrier frequency of the reply is 1090 MHz ±3.0 MHz
DOWNLINK
 The polarization of the reply is predominantly vertical

MONOPULSE
Mode-S Systems:
REPLY DET.
 The carrier frequency of the reply is 1090 MHz ±1.0 MHz
 The polarization of the reply is predominantly vertical

TARGET DET.
TRACKING
PLOT GEN.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
GTC/STC Functions
RX FREQ
GTC/STC
SENSITIVITY TIME CONTROL
RSLS
DOWNLINK
STC (Volts - threshold)

Varies receiver sensitivity
in distance while GTC is
MONOPULSE V
maximum
REPLY DET. T
tc
GAIN TIME CONTROL
TARGET DET.
GTC (Att. dB) Keeps constant
in distance the
TRACKING At t = 30 dB received power
PLOT GEN. Att = 0 dB T

T= 0 tc
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
GTC/STC Functions
GTC FUNCTION:
 Gain-Time-Control (GTC) is a variable attenuation depending on the time which is applied at the receiver on the IF signal and before converting it to
video signal.
 This function avoids the saturation of the receiver logarithmic amplifier with strong input signals and allows a linear conversion of the input IF signal to
an output video signal.
STC FUNCTION:
 Sensitivity-Time-Control (STC) is a variable sensitivity depending on the time which is applied on the receiver output video signals during the time
that the GTC is maximum.
 This function removes all video signal having an SUM amplitude lower than the voltage level of the STC signal.
 This function is very useful to remove signals reflected by reflectors corresponding to replies transmitted by transponders.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
RSLS Technique
RECEIVER SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION

RX FREQ
Used to avoid processing of

GTC/STC
strong replies received by side
lobes and coming from close
RSLS aircrafts to the radar antenna
DOWNLINK
MONOPULSE
REPLY DET.
TARGET DET.
F1 F2
F1 F2
Ω >Σ
TRACKING
PLOT GEN.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
RSLS Technique
 RSLS technique is used to remove replies from close aircraft transponders received via the side lobes of the interrogator directional antenna (Ʃ).
 This function compares the amplitudes of the SUM (Ʃ) and OMNI (Ω)video signals and remove the replies having an SUM signal amplitude equal to
or lower than the amplitude of the OMNI signal.
 A reply received via the SUM main lobe (SUM beam) has a maximum amplitude by SUM and a null by OMNI.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Monopulse Technique
MONOPULSE FUNCTION
RX FREQ
Used to determine Aircraft azimuth
GTC/STC with high accuracy.
RSLS
DOWNLINK
DIFF & SUM main lobes
MONOPULSE
Relative Power (dB)
REPLY DET.
TARGET DET.
TRACKING
Angle (degrees) MONOPULSE TABLE

PLOT GEN.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Monopulse Technique
 Monopulse technique is used to determine the arrival angle (off-boresight angle) of a signal with respect to the antenna boresight and thus obtain
the azimuth of a target with a high precission.
 To do this, the use of a special radar antenna with a gain pattern called Difference (Δ) is required.
 The main features of a monopulse antenna for the Difference gain pattern are the following:
 The radiants elements in the linear antenna array are divided into two halves, LEFT and RIGHT. The left elements have a phase difference
with respect to the right of 180º.
 Its gain pattern has two symmetrical beams angled on either side of antenna boresight and has a null gain on the own boresight.
 This technique processes the amplitudes and phases of the signal received from an aircraft (reply) via the overlapping antenna lobes of the Sum (Ʃ)
and Difference (Δ) gain patterns.
 The Δ signal will be +90º (reply entering by right side) or -90º (reply entering by left side) out of phase from the Ʃ signal at the input of the monopulse
receiver.
 Through the amplitude ratio (Δ/Ʃ), the monopulse function obtains the magnitude of the azimuth error (OBA) of the received signal.
 Through the phase ratio (Δ/Ʃ), the monopulse function obtains the sign (±) of the azimuth error of the received signal.
 The output of the monopulse detector is a video signal with the information about azimuth error contained in its voltage level.
 The conversion table (Voltage level – Azimuth error) is represented by the monopulse table.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Reply Detection
RX FREQ
SSR REPLY DETECTION
GTC/STC Framing Pulses

F1 C1 A1 C2 A2 C4 A4 X B1 D1 B2 D2 B4 D4 F2 SPI
RSLS t (µs)
DOWNLINK
0 1.45 20.3 24.65

0.45
MONOPULSE 4096 ID codes for Mode 3/A
REPLY DET.
REPLY REPORT
TARGET DET.  Range and corrected azimuth of the reply.

 Code value of the reply.
 Information flags about the detection of:
TRACKING  Overlapped pulses, SPI pulse and Emergency code.
 Particular information of each possible pulse of the reply (from F1 to SPI):

PLOT GEN.
 Raw video level, monopulse video level and confidence percentage.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Reply Detection
 An SSR reply is determined for two framing pulses or brackets (F1 and F2) spaced 20.3 µsec.
 Thirteen information pulses are located between the framing pulses. They have the following features:
 They are spaced in increments of 1.45 µsec, from the first framing pulse (F1).
 The designation of the pulses is as follows:
 C1, A1, C2, A2, C4, A4, X, B1, D1, B2, D2, B4 and D4.
 The pulse X is not used.
 The pulses A, B, C and D define an octal code of 4 digits (3 bits per digit) as follows:
 A (A4-A2-A1) B (B4-B2-B1) C (C4-C2-C1) D (D4-D2-D1). The possible values are between 7777 and 0000.
 In addition to the information pulses and in the particular case of Mode 3/A replies, a special position identification pulse (SPI) can be after the pulse
F2, spaced at an interval of 4.35 µsec. This pulse is transmitted for a period of between 15 and 30 seconds, when the pilot activates it and only on the
request of the ground air traffic controller.
 Features of Mode 3/A reply:
 It provides 4096 ID codes. The identity code value is set by the pilot, as directed by air traffic control instructions.
 The value may sometimes be changed during flight.
 Three particular codes are universally used to indicate emergency conditions: 7700 (emergency), 7600 (radio failure) and 7500 (hijack).
 Features of Mode C reply:
 It provides 2048 codes (D1 pulse not used) to inform about aircraft flight level with a resolution of 100ft and within the range of -1000ft to
+126,750ft.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Reply Detection
 When two pulses are separated 20.3 µsec, a possible reply is detected and an internal control pulse, called bracket, is generated to activate the
processes for obtaining all information of the reply.
 The detection of a reply ends with the generation of a reply report.
 A reply report has the following information:
 Range and corrected azimuth of the reply.
 Code value of the reply.
 Information flags about the detection of:
 Overlapped pulses, SPI pulse and Emergency code.
 Specific information for each possible pulse of the reply (from F1 to SPI):
 Raw video level, monopulse video level and confidence percentage.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Target Detection
TARGET DETECTION
RX FREQ Reply-to-reply Correlation:

A group of reply reports belonging to a same aircraft must correlate each other
in range and azimuth to form a target.
GTC/STC
This process includes:
 Filtering of phantom replies
RSLS  Filtering of fruit (defruiting function)
DOWNLINK
 Filtering of spurious replies due to transponder errors

 Filtering of multiple replies due to military transponders or reflections
MONOPULSE  Decoding of garbled replies
 Code extraction
REPLY DET. TARGET REPORT
TARGET DET.  Range and azimuth of the target.

 Mode A code and its confidence.
 Mode C code and its confidence.
TRACKING  Number of correlating replies.
 Information flags (SPI, military identification or military emergency).
 Number of replies as a potential reflector.
PLOT GEN.  Antenna revolution speed.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Target Detection
 Target detection process uses all reply reports detected within each antenna turn, grouping the reply reports according to their range and azimuth.
 This process is based on the reply-to-reply correlation, after the false replies have been filtered, such as phantom replies, fruit replies (defruiting
function), spurious replies due to transponder errors and multiple replies due to military transponders or reflections; and after decoding of the garbled
replies, using for this purpose the specific information obtained for each pulse of the replies involved.
 The Reply-to-reply correlation processes each group of reply reports belonging to a same aircraft to check if they match according to a correlation
windows in range and in azimuth.
 If a sufficient number of reply reports are correlated each other, a target report is generated.
 A target report has the following information:
 Range and azimuth of the target.
 Mode A code and its confidence.
 Mode C code and its confidence.
 Number of correlating replies.
 Information flags (SPI, military identification or military emergency).
 Number of replies as a potential reflector.
 Antenna revolution speed.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Tracking Process
TRACKING PROCESS
RX FREQ Track initiation:
 Uncorrelated target reports, after target-track association/correlation,
are considered for the initiation of new track.
GTC/STC
 A new track is established when three uncorrelated target reports
from the same aircraft are detected on three consecutive scans.
RSLS
DOWNLINK
Track update:
MONOPULSE  An existing track is updated with the data of a target report, when the
target report data correlates with the predicted target data, in position
(range and azimuth) and code (Mode A and Mode C).
REPLY DET.
Track dropping:
 An existing track is dropped after that no target report correlates with
TARGET DET. this track (predicted target) during three consecutive scans.
 During those three scans, a calculated target is generated in the
TRACKING foreseen position by the track.
 When a target enters in the “Cone of Silence”, its corresponding track
is not dropped and is updated in every scan with a calculated target,
PLOT GEN. during the time this target is inside the Cone of Silence.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Tracking Process
 The tracking process has three main functions which are described below:
TRACK INITIATION:
 Target reports which remain uncorrelated after target-track association/correlation are considered for the initiation of new track.
 A new track is established when three uncorrelated target reports from the same aircraft are detected on three consecutive scans.
TRACK UPDATE:
 An existing track is updated with the data of a target report, when the target report data correlates in position (range and azimuth) and code
(Mode A and Mode C) with the predicted target data, which is obtained from the previous scan.
TRACK DROPPING:
 An existing track is dropped after that no target report correlates with this track (predicted target) during three consecutive scans.
 Before dropping the track and during those three scans, a calculated target is generated in the foreseen position by the track, in order to try
to associate it with some target report generated in next scan.
 When a target is detected entering within the “Cone of Silence”, its corresponding track is not dropped and, in addition, is updated in every
scan with a calculated target obtain from the previous scan, during the time this target is inside the Cone of Silence.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Plot Generation
PLOT GENERATION
Target reports corresponding to false targets (reflections, split or ring-around) are

RX FREQ eliminated before the Target-Track Association/Correlation process.
Target-Track Association/Correlation:
GTC/STC
 Predicting areas are used to associate target reports to tracks.
 Only one target report is correlated with a track.
RSLS
DOWNLINK
Plot Generation:
MONOPULSE  A Measured plot is generated with the information of a target report, when
the target report is correlated with an existing track.
REPLY DET.  A Calculated plot is generated with the information corresponding to the
predicted target, when either no target report is associated to an existing
track or none of the associated target reports correlate with an existing track.
TARGET DET.
PLOT AND TRACK OUTPUT DATA FORMATS

TRACKING
SSR Systems: ASTERIX CAT.1
PLOT GEN.
Mode-S Systems: ASTERIX CAT. 48
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Plot Generation
 The first step in surveillance processing is to match a target report with the track established for an aircraft .
 This first step is divided in two consecutive processes: Target-Track Association and Target-Track Correlation.
 Before applying the Target-Track association process, target reports corresponding to false targets (reflections, split or ring-around) are processed
for their removal.
TARGET-TRACK ASSOCIATION:
 Association areas are defined around each track predicted position with dimensions of range and angle.
 Three different predicting areas are used: Zone 1 (for aircraft flying straight), Zone 2 (for some aircraft acceleration or circular turn) and Zone
3 (for military aircraft with abnormal maneuvers or prediction errors caused by a previous plot error).
TARGET-TRACK CORRELATION:
 Once all associations for each track have been determined , it is necessary to decide which target report is used to update each track.
 The following four association situations might exist:
 Only one target report is associated with only one track (the most common situation).
 Several target reports are associated with only one track.
 Only one target report is associated with several tracks.
 Several target reports are associated with several tracks.
 The correlation is immediately performed for the first situation. For the rest of cases, it is necessary to calculate the quality of each target-
track association comparing their association areas, Mode A code agreement, altitude agreement, number of replies in the report , etc.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Plot Generation
PLOT GENERATION:
 When a target report is associated with an existing track and both correlate, a measured plot data is generated with the information of that
target report.
 When either no target report is associated to an existing track or none of the associated targets correlate with the track, a calculated plot
data is generated with the information corresponding to the predicted target obtained from the previous scan.
 The generated plots are sent to ATC stations in ASTERIX format. ASTERIX format is an European standard defined to transfer radar data.
 SSR ground stations use ASTERIX format category 1, and Mode-S ground stations use ASTERIX format category 48.
ASTERIX FORMAT:
 Category 001: It defines the message structure for the transmission of Monoradar Target Reports from a Radar Surveillance System (PSRs,
SSRs, MSSRs, excluding Mode S and ground surveillance) to a Radar Data Processing (RDP) System. Either plot or track messages or a
combination of both may be transmitted. The data flow is unidirectional from the radar station to the user system(s).
 Category 048: It defines the message structure for the transmission of Monoradar Radar Target Reports from a Radar Surveillance System
(PSRs, SSRs, MSSRs and Mode S) to a Radar Data Processing (RDP) System. Either plot or track messages or a combination of both may
be transmitted. The data flow is unidirectional from the radar station to the user system(s).
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INDEX

 Uplink Formats
 RSLS Technique
 Reply Detection
 Plot Generation
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
EVOLUTION FROM MSSR TO MODE-S
SSR Problems
Reduction of Fast
Fast Minimum Increasing
Increasing Vertical of
of Separation Air Traffic
Air Traffic Density
Density
GARBLING Only 4096
Mode A codes INSUFFICIENT
Multiple
PROBLEMS IN available NUMBER
Coverage
CODE OF AIRCRAFT
DECODING IDENTITY CODES
FRUIT
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SSR Problems
 Currently, SSR provides a limited surveillance service due to the rapid increase of air traffic density, and a number of known operational problems are
generated.
 Those operational problems are mainly the following:
 Difficulty of SSR systems to decode the reply codes received.
 Insufficient number of codes to identify all aircrafts during their flight.
 The first problem is caused for:
 Increment of Fruit provoked by the increase of number of SSR systems covering the airspace (Multiple coverage).
 Increment of Garbling provoked by the need to reduce the minimum vertical separation of the airways to absorb the current air traffic.
 The second problem is caused because Mode A only provides 4096 identification codes.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SSR Problems
Fruit
FALSE REPLIES UNSYNCHRONIZED TO

INTERROGATOR TRANSMISSION (FRUIT)
FRUIT
Interrogation # 1
GARBLING
Interrogation # 2
Reply # 1 & Reply # 2 (fruit)

MSSR # 1
FRUIT =>
 False replies
 Garbling
 Loss of real targets
Reply # 2 & Reply # 1 (fruit)

MSSR # 2
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SSR Problems
Fruit
 FRUIT (False Replies Unsynchronized to Interrogator Transmission) are unwanted replies, received by an interrogator, which have been triggered by
other interrogators within an airspace controlled with multiple coverage.
 Fruit must be eliminated to avoid the generation of false targets. This process is called defruiting.
 To do more easy the defruiting process, the activation of the stagger function is recommended.
 When the amount of fruit is very high, the defruiting process can require the use of a lots of CPU resources what could cause the loss of real
targets. In addition, it can generate garbling problems.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SSR Problems
Garbling
TXP # 1
Reply # 1
Interrogation
Reply # 2 TXP # 2
FRUIT
Interrogation
Reply # 3
GARBLING MSSR
Interrogation
TXP # 3
F1 C1 A1 C2 A2 C4 A4 X B1 D1 B2 D2 B4 D4 F2
Reply # 1
Reply # 2
Reply # 3
   
Overlapping Replies =>

Phantom replies, False targets    
& Loss of real targets
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
SSR Problems
Garbling
 Garbling replies are defined as two or more replies which are overlapping. Hence, they have pulses of other replies within the time interval defined
by their pulses F1 and F2.
 Garbling can give rise to the detection false replies (phantom replies) and consequently generate false targets with wrong codes. In addition, it can
do more difficult the decoding of reply code and thus obtaining a false reply code and the loss of a real target.
 A phantom reply is defined as a reply whose F1 pulse is a code pulse or framing pulse of one real reply and whose F2 pulse is a code pulse or
framing pulse of another real reply.
 A typical phantom reply is generated with the C2 pulse and the SPI pulse of a Mode A reply.
 Other phantom replies correspond with military emergency and military SPI replies, which use a group of close replies for indicating those special
conditions.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Solutions by Mode-S
SELECTIVE FRUIT GARBLING

INTERROGATION REDUCTION REDUCTION
ICAO CODE 16,777,214

(6 hexadecimal digits) ID CODES
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Solutions by Mode-S
 Mode-S was developed to improve SSR in relation with its main operational problems detected and with the transmission of more information than
identity and height of aircrafts.
 In addition, the new surveillance system should be operationally compatible with the previous.
 The Mode S solution to reduce fruit and garbling effects is the use of Selective interrogations.
 The Mode S solution to increase the aircraft identification codes is the use of an 24-bit code (ICAO address).
 A Selective interrogation is a type of Mode S interrogation used to interrogate to a unique aircraft which was previously detected.
 An ICAO Aircraft Address is a unique hard-coded identification which is allocated by aircraft registering authorities to identify to each aircraft.
 This address is a code of 24-bit (6 hexadecimal digits), which allow defining up to 16,777,214 ID codes.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Improvements
UNIQUE 24-BIT ADDRESS FOR EACH AIRCRAFT
IMPROVED DATA INTEGRITY
ALTITUDE REPORT IN 25 FEET INCREMENTS
PROVIDE COMMUNICATION SERVICES
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Improvements
 The main improvements of Mode-S are the following:
 A unique 24-bit address (ICAO Address):
 It is used to identify to each airframe, which is allocated by aircraft registering authorities, so this aircraft code never
changes.
 Improved Data integrity:
 This improvement is performed by a parity check mechanism (CRC code) used in both up-link and down-link, which can
detect message errors (up-link/down-link) and even correct them (only down-link).
 Altitude Report in 25 Feet Increments:
 This new resolution allows more altitude accuracy than the 100feet resolution of the existing SSR systems.
 Provide Communication Services (datalink function):
 The datalink function allows ground-ground, air-ground or even air-air data transmission through Mode-S by using
specific protocols.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Compatibilities with SSR
Interrogations
 The same uplink frequency is used.
1030 MHz
FREQUENCY
&
WAVEFORMS  Compatible and coordinated waveforms.
T0
P1 P3
P2
Σ
SSR
Ω 3 ± 0,5 µs
SPR T0
P1 P2 P6
Σ
Mode S
Ω P5
128 ± 0,25 µs
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INTERROGATIONS
 Both systems use the same frequency to compatible old and new systems
 SSR interrogators transmits P1 and P3 pulses by SUM and P2 by OMNI (for ISLS) to carry out the interrogation.
 In the case of Mode-S interrogators, they transmits P1, P2 and P6 by SUM and P5 by OMNI (for ISLS).
 P1 and P2 pulses are equals for both cases (pulse width and separation). Hence, when SSR transponders receive Mode-S interrogations, they are
suppressed during 35 ±10 µsec (equivalent to IISLS).
 P2 pulse and P5 pulse are used for applying the ISLS function in each case, SSR and Mode-S respectively.
 Mode-S interrogators use P6 pulse to send the interrogation data block.
 Mode-S transponders need more time to decode the interrogation signal than SSR transponders. This time is around 128 µsec for Mode-S and 3
µsec for SSR.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Replies
 The same downlink frequency is used.
1090 MHz
FREQUENCY
&
 Different waveforms to improve signals discrimination.
WAVEFORMS
Brackets
t (µs)
0
0,451,45 20,3 24,65
56 o 112 Bits
1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
t (µs)
0 0,5 1 3,5 4,5 8 9 10 64/120
Preamble
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Summary
Compatibilities between MODE-S and MODE A/C (SSR):

 They operate on the same uplink (1030 MHz) and downlink (1090 MHz)
frequencies.
INTEROPERABILITY
 They use compatible and coordinated up-link formats.
 Mode-S ground stations can interrogate in Mode A/C.
 Mode-S transponders can reply in Mode A/C.
 They use different down-link formats to improve the discrimination of replies.

 Mode-S ground stations can process Mode A/C replies.
 Mode A/C ground stations can not process Mode-S replies.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INDEX

 Uplink Formats
 RSLS Technique
 Reply Detection
 Plot Generation
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INTRODUCTION TO MODE-S
Operational Levels
Introduction
EUROCONTROL
1. Elementary Surveillance (ELS)

Depending on what Information (*) can be
extracted from Aircraft Transponders
2. Enhanced Surveillance (EHS)
3. Mode-S Subnetwork
UNDEVELOPED
4. ATN ISO 8208 Packet Layer Protocol
(*) Up to 255 registers BDS can be implemented.

Only 50 registers are currently defined.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
Introduction
 The main goal of the Mode-S Program is to provide a technology to support the concept and implementation of Gate-to-Gate Surveillance.
 This new technology has been developed on the base of the existing SSR system and is divided in several implementation phases, also called
operational levels.
 EUROCONTROL defines four operational levels for Mode-S systems, called:
 Elementary Surveillance (ELS)
 Enhanced Surveillance (EHS)
 Mode S Subnetwork
 ATN ISO 8208 Packet Layer Protocol
 Aircraft transponders store the surveillance information used by Mode-S interrogators in DAP buffers, called BDS registers.
 Up to 255 registers BDS can be implemented, but only 50 registers are currently defined.
 Elementary Surveillance (ELS):
 It is the minimum surveillance operability foreseen Mode-S for aircraft equipped with any type of Mode-S transponder.
 This operational level reduces the problems about fruit and gargling through selective interrogations, and improves the Mode A identification
codes shortage through the extraction of the aircraft ICAO address (aircraft address).
 It allows the extraction of the following BDS Registers: BDS 1.0, BDS 1.7 and BDS 2.0.
 The content of those registers should not change under normal flight conditions.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
Introduction
 Enhanced Surveillance (EHS):
 It enables additional surveillance capabilities between interrogators and transponders through datalink.
 It allows the extraction of more BDS registers as BDS 4.0, BDS 5.0 and BDS 6.0, in addition to BDS registers used by ELS level.
 Mode-S Subnetwork:
 It manages the packet layer protocol to allow external interfaces with applications either locally attached (ground stations/transponders) or
wide-area (located anywhere in the world) through specific services.
 This functionality requires an ADLP (Airborne Data Link Processor) in transponders and a GDLP (Ground Data Link Processor) in ground
stations.
 This operational level is not completely developed.
 ATN ISO 8208 Packet Layer Protocol:
 It requires the use of an Airborne or Ground ATN Router to form the main interface to process and distribute packets through the wide-area
network.
 This other operational level is currently suspended.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
BDS Registers
BDS Registers of Mode-S Transponders
BDS 1.0 DATA LINK CAPABILITY REPORT
ELS BDS 1.7 COMMON USAGE GICB CAPABILITY REPORT
BDS 2.0 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION
EHS
BDS 4.0 SELECTED VERTICAL INTENTION
BDS 5.0 TRACK & TURN REPORT
BDS 6.0 HEADING & SPEED REPORT
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
BDS Registers
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
ELEMENTARY
SURVEILLANCE  ICAO 24-BIT ADDRESS
(ELS)  MODE A CODE
 ALTITUDE REPORT IN 25-FT STEPS
 FLIGHT STATUS (INCLUDING SPI & EMERGENCY

SITUATIONS)
 II/SI-CODE FUNCTIONALITY
 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION (BDS 2.0)
 DATA LINK CAPABILITY REPORT (BDS 1.0)
 COMMON USAGE GICB CAPABILITY REPORT (BDS 1.7)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
BDS Registers
ELS REGISTERS:
 BDS 1.0 (DATA LINK CAPABILITY REPORT):
 It reports about the capability and protocols supported by transponder, e.g. ACAS, SI, UELM/DELM, basic specific services capability report,
squitter capability, aircraft ID availability, etc.
 This register is broadcast by a transponder if its contain changes.
 All of the information in the register must be updated in real time at least every 4 seconds.
 BDS 1.7 (COMMON USAGE GICB CAPABILITY REPORT):
 It reports about availability of a determined group of BDS registers for their immediate extraction using the GICB protocol.
 It has a single bit flag for each of the BDS registers used for elementary and enhanced surveillance.
 The flags are updated at least every 5 seconds.
 This register is not broadcast on update but this is done by a single toggle bit set in BDS 1.0 (bit 36).
 BDS 2.0 (AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION):
 It has the Aircraft Identification (Flight ID of the aircraft).
 The extraction of Aircraft ID is fundamental for ELS operation.
 If the aircraft ID changes during flight, the transponder must transmit this information as a broadcast for a period of 18 seconds.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
BDS Registers
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 SELECTED VERTICAL INTENTION (BDS 4.0)
ENHANCED  SELECTED ALTITUDE
SURVEILLANCE  TRACK & TURN REPORT (BDS 5.0)
(EHS)  ROLL ANGLE

 TRUE TRACK ANGLE
 TRACK ANGLE RATE
 TRUE AIR SPEED, TAS
 HEADING & SPEED REPORT (BDS 6.0)
 MAGNETIC HEADING
 INDICATED AIR SPEED
 MATCH NUMBER
 GROUND SPEED
 BAROMETRIC ALTITUDE RATE
 INERTIAL VERTICAL VELOCITY
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Operational Levels
BDS Registers
ADDITIONAL BDS REGISTERS FOR ENHANCED OPERATION:
 BDS 4.0 (AIRCRAFT INTENTION):
 It provides information about Selective Vertical Intention (selected Altitude, Barometric Pressure Setting, etc.).
 BDS 5.0 (TRACK & TURN REPORT):
 It provides information about Roll Angle, True Track Angle, Track Angle Rate and True Air Speed.
 The content of this register must be updated at least every 0.5 seconds.
 BDS 6.0 (HEADING & SPEED REPORT):
 It provides information about Magnetic Heading, Indicated Air Speed, Match Number, Ground Speed, Barometric Altitude Rate and Inertial
Vertical Velocity.
 The content of this register must be updated at least every 0.5 seconds.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Communication Capabilities
Mode-S Protocols
Main Mode-S Protocols
CATEGORY USED FOR PROTOCOL
 Mode A/C
 Detection & Surveillance of SSR Transponders
ALL-CALL  Mode A/C/S (Intermodes)
 Detection & Acquisition of Mode-S Transponders  Mode-S only All-Call (UF/DF 11)
 Selective Surveillance
SURVEILLANCE  Surveillance of Mode-S Transponders
(UF/DF: 4 & 5)
 Surveillance of Mode-S Transponders  COMM-A & COMM-B
 Data Link with Mode-S Transponders (UF/DF: 20 & 21)

DATA LINK
 COMM-C & COMM-D
 Only Data Link with Mode-S Transponders
(UF/DF 24)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Protocols
 Mode-S uses different protocols to communicate with aircraft transponders.
 They are classified into three main categories, called: All-call Protocols, Surveillance Protocols and Data Link Protocols.
 These protocols use uplink (UF) and downlink (DF) formats to establish a bi-directional ground station-aircraft communication.
MAIN MODE-S PROTOCOLS:
 All-Call Protocols:
 It corresponds with Mode-S only All-Call (UF/DF 11), Intermode All-Calls (Mode A/C/S) and Mode A/C All-Calls (SSR Modes).
 Intermode and Mode A/C All-Calls are used for detection and surveillance of SSR transponders.
 Intermode uplink formats are similar to the Mode A and C uplink formats, they add a pulse P4 after P3. Hence, there are two intermode
formats, called Intermode A and Intermode C.
 Mode-S only All-Calls are used for detection and acquisition of Mode-S transponders, i.e., for obtaining of the Aircraft Address (ICAO
address).
 Mode-S Only All-Call uplink (UF11) is not a selective interrogation.
 Surveillance Protocols:
 They are selective Mode-S surveillance protocols.
 They are called as UF/DF 4 and UF/DF 5.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Protocols
MAIN MODE-S PROTOCOLS:
 Data Link Protocols:
 They are selective Mode-S protocols.
 There are two types of data link protocols, classified as: Surveillance and Data Link Protocols, and Only Data Link Protocols.
 Surveillance and data link protocols are UF/DF 20 and UF/DF 21. They use the COMM-A format in the uplink and the COMM-B format in the
downlink for data transference.
 Only data link protocol is UF/DF 24. It use the COMM-C format in the uplink and the COMM-D format in the downlink for data transference.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
Uplink (UF) & Downlink (DF)
TYPE UPLINK (*) INFORMATION DOWNLINK (*) INFORMATION LENGTH
ALL-CALL UF11 AIRCRAFT ADDRESS ACQUISITION DF11 ICAO ADDRESS
SURVEILLANCE UF04 ALTITUDE REQUEST DF04 ALTITUDE (25 feet steps) 56-bit
(SELECTIVE) UF05 MODE A IDENTITY REQUEST DF05 MODE A IDENTITY
COMM-A (SLM) COMM-B (SLM)

UF20 DF20
& ALTITUDE REQUEST & ALTITUDE (25 feet)
DATA LINK
COMM-A (SLM) COMM-B (SLM) 112-bit
(SELECTIVE) UF21 DF21
& MODE A IDENTITY REQUEST & MODE A IDENTITY
UF24 COMM-C (ELM) DF24 COMM-D (ELM)
(*) ICAO defines 25 possible link formats (UF or DF).

Only 6 formats are currently used for Mode-S
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
 ICAO defines 25 possible link formats (UF or DF), but only 6 formats are currently used for Mode-S.
 These formats are: UF/DF 4, UF/DF 5, UF/DF 11, UF/DF 20, UF/DF 21 & UF/DF 24.
 They correspond with some of the following types of protocols: All-Call, Surveillance & Data Link.
 Only the Surveillance & Data Link protocols are selective interrogations.
All-call Protocols:
 It corresponds with the Mode-S only All-Call (UF/DF 11).
 UF/DF 11 protocols are used for obtaining the Aircraft Address (ICAO address).
 All-Call Mode-S only interrogation (UF11) is not a selective interrogation.
 All-Call Mode-S only protocols (UF/DF 11) have a data block length of 56-bit.
Surveillance Protocols:
 It corresponds with the selective surveillance protocols, called UF/DF 4 and UF/DF 5.
 UF/DF 4 protocols are used for obtaining the altitude or flight level of an aircraft.
 UF/DF 5 protocols are used for obtaining the Mode A identity of an aircraft.
 They have a data block length of 56-bit.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
Data Link Protocols:
 It corresponds with the following selective protocols: UF/DF 20, UF/DF 21 and UF/DF 24.
 UF/DF 20 protocols are used for obtaining the altitude of an aircraft and for transferring data.
 UF/DF 21 protocols are used for obtaining the Mode A identity of an aircraft and for transferring data.
 UF/DF 24 protocol is used for only transferring data.
 All these protocols have a data block length of 112-bit.
 UF 20 & 21 provide a data transference service (56-bit data field) from ground stations to aircraft using SLM (Standard Length Message)
protocol and COMM-A (uplink) format.
 DF 20 & 21 provide a data transference service (56-bit data field) from aircraft to ground stations using SLM (Standard Length Message)
protocol and COMM-B (downlink) format.
 UF 24 provides an extended data transference service (80-bit data field) from ground stations to aircraft using ELM (Extended Length
Message) protocol and COMM-C (uplink) format.
 DF 24 provides an extended data transference service (80-bit data field) from aircraft to ground stations using ELM (Extended Length
Message) protocol and COMM-D (downlink) format.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
GICB Protocol AICB Protocol
 Ground Initiated Comm-B.  Air Initiated Comm-B.

 Special Downlink SLM protocol.  Downlink SLM protocol
 Used to extract the contents from any of the pre-  It allows that an aircraft requests the extraction of
defined BDS registers of a Mode-S transponder. certain parameters of its BDS registers, when an
interrogation of either selective surveillance (UF4/5)
 The request is performed by the ground station via
or COMM-A (UF20/21) is received.
selective surveillance (UF4/5) or COMM-A (UF20/21)
interrogations.  This request is performed via the corresponding reply
(DF4, 5, 20 or 21) and enabling an internal AICB flag.
 In any case, the transponder always replies using the
corresponding COMM-B protocol (DF20/21).  Finally, the transponder sends the requested
information using a COMM-B protocol (DF20/21).
BDS Registers
MODE-S
GICB Request TRANSPONDER
(UF 4, 5, 20 or 21)
Register Content Requested

Register
Mode-S (UF 20 or 21)
Interrogator
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
GROUND INITIATED COMM-B (GICB)
 A GICB protocol is a special case of downlink SLM, which is used to extract the contents from any of the pre-defined BDS registers of a Mode-S
aircraft transponder.
 This protocol is a special downlink SLM protocol.
 The request can be done by a ground station through either selective surveillance (UF4/5) or COMM-A (UF20/21) interrogations.
 In any case, the transponder always replies using a COMM-B protocol (DF20 or 21), which will correspond with the received uplink format (UF4/20 or
UF5/21, respectively).
AIR INITIATED COMM-B (AICB)
 An AICB protocol is a downlink SLM protocol, which allows that an aircraft requests the extraction of certain parameters of its BDS registers, when an
interrogation of either selective surveillance (UF4/5) or COMM-A (UF20/21) is received.
 This request is performed via the downlink format (DF4, 5, 20 or 21) that corresponds with the received uplink format and enabling an internal AICB
flag.
 Finally, the transponder sends the requested information, using the COMM-B protocol (DF20 or 21) corresponding with the uplink format received in a
second interrogation (either UF4/20 or UF5/21, respectively).
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
Data Block Structure: Uplink (UF) & Downlink (DF)
FORMAT
CONTROL FIELD MESSAGE DATA ADDRESS / PARITY
NUMBER
Performs Protocol
Only used for
Identifies the UF or DF protocol control. CRC code
Data Link
It has several subfields.
Length: Length: Length:

Length:
5-bit 27-bit 56-bit (COMM-A & B)
24-bit
2-bit (only COMM-C & D) 6-bit (only COMM-C & D) 80-bit (COMM-C & D)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Mode-S Link Formats
DATA BLOCK STRUCTURE
 Format Number:
 It is normally a 5-bit field, except to identify a COMM-C or COMM-D protocol (it would be 2-bit with binary value equal to 1).
 It identifies the UF or DF protocol.
 ICAO defines 25 possible link formats, but only 6 formats are currently used for Mode-S (UF/DF: 4, 5, 11, 21, 22 and 24).
 Control Field:
 It has normally 27-bit, except when the protocol corresponds with COMM-C or COMM-D (it would have 6-bit).
 Depending on the protocol used, it is divided in different subfields with different length.
 The different subfields are used to perform the protocol control.
 Message Data:
 Only used by data link
 It can have two different length depending on the data link protocol used: 56-bit (COMM-A & B) or 80-bit (COMM-C & D).
 CRC Code:
 This code is determined by using a polynomial and the Aircraft Address (AA), except in the case of an All-Call interrogation (UF11) that uses 24 binary ‘1’ as
AA.
 The CRC code of a UF protocol is used by transponders to detect interrogation error. The interrogation is only accepted when no error is detected.
 The CRC code of a DF protocol is used by ground stations to detect and correct reply error.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogator-Transponder Interoperability
TYPE OF TRANSPONDER
Mode A/C (SSR) MODE-S
Mode A Mode A reply Mode A reply
Mode C Mode C reply Mode C reply

INTERROGATION MODE
Intermode A Mode A reply No Reply

Short P4
Intermode C Mode C reply No Reply
Short P4
Intermode A Mode A reply Mode-S reply
Long P4
Intermode C Mode C reply Mode-S reply
Long P4
Mode-S Short P6 No Reply Mode-S reply
Mode-S Long P6 No Reply Mode-S reply
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
 Mode A & C Interrogations:
 Both types of transponder, SSR and Mode-S, reply using the corresponding SSR downlink format (Mode A or Mode C).
 Intermode A & C Interrogations with short P4:
 Only SSR transponders reply using the corresponding SSR downlink format (Mode A or Mode C).
 Intermode A & C Interrogations with long P4:
 SSR transponders reply using the corresponding SSR downlink format (Mode A or Mode C).
 Mode-S transponders reply using Mode-S only All-Call reply (DF11), putting a zero value in their Aircraft Address.
 ICAO doesn’t recommend the use of Intermode A/C with long P4, to avoid the overlap of Mode A/C and Mode-S replies.
 Mode-S Interrogations:
 Only Mode-S transponders reply using the corresponding downlink format.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Summary
MODE A/C
 Detection & Surveillance of any Transponder
INTERMODES A/C (MODE A/C/S) WITH SHORT P4
 Detection & Surveillance of Non Mode-S Transponders
MODE-S ALL-CALL
 Acquisition of Mode-S Transponders
SELECTIVE
 Surveillance of acquired Mode-S Transponders and/or Data Link Service
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
All-Call & Surveillance Processes
Identifiers
INTERROGATOR IDENTIFIER AIRCRAFT IDENTIFIER

(II-Code) (ICAO Address)
 Each interrogator uses an II-Code (4-bit code).  A unique ICAO address is assign to each aircraft
transponder (24-bit code).
 Exists the possibility of assigning an SI-Code
(Surveillance Identifier) of 6-bit code, but not all  A transponder replies to Mode-S only all-calls
current Mode-S transponders detect this code. indicating the II/SI Code of the interrogator and
its ICAO address.
 The II/SI Code is included in Mode-S only All-Calls
interrogations (UF11).  A Mode-S transponder only replies to selective
interrogations that have its ICAO address.
 This code can be reallocated to other
interrogators.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
INTERROGATOR IDENTIFIER:
 Each Mode-S interrogator operates using an Interrogator Code (IC).
 That code can be reallocated to other Mode-S interrogators if necessary, but two or more interrogators can not operate with the same IC if they have
overlapped coverages.
 There are two types of IC: II-Code (Interrogator Identifier) and SI-Code (Surveillance Identifier).
 II-Code uses 4-bit to define the code, allowing up to 16 II-Codes (from 0 to 15).
 SI-Code uses 6-bit and allows up to 63 SI-Codes (from 1 to 63), but not all current Mode-S transponders detect this code.
 The II/SI Code is included by interrogators in the Mode-S only All-Call interrogations (UF11) and by aircraft transponders in the corresponding reply
(DF11).
 The II-Code equal to ‘0’ is used to identify special interrogators which don’t use selective interrogations.
AIRCRAFT IDENTIFIER:
 Each aircraft Mode-S transponder uses a unique ICAO address (24-bit code), which is allocated by the responsible authority.
 A Mode-S transponder replies to Mode-S only All-Call interrogations (UF11) indicating the II/SI Code of the interrogator that sent the interrogation and
its ICAO address.
 A Mode-S transponder only replies to selective interrogations that have its ICAO address which is contained in the CRC code.
 The ICAO address is used in the selective uplink and downlink formats to generate the corresponding CRC code.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogations: EUROCONTROL Limitations
 If radar system is working in SSR mode, PRF is limited between 50 and 450 interrogations per second.
 If radar system is working in Mode-S, the number of interrogation periods is limited up to 12 inside an
antenna beam width, where all types of interrogations must be done (All-Call and Roll-Call)
 Mode-S All-call interrogations are limited to a maximum of 250 interrogations per second.
ALL-CALL period repetition frequency
for MODE-S
is usually between 40 Hz and 150 Hz
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Interrogations: Strategy
STRATEGY DEFINITION
 Sequence of interrogation periods programmed

by a operator of a Mode-S Interrogator system
EUROCONTROL RECOMMENDATION
 Alternating of All-Call and Roll-Call

interrogation periods (Basic Strategy)
PERIOD INTERROGATION MODES
 Mode A/C
 Mode A/C/S (Intermodes)

ALL-CALL
 Mode-S Only All-Call (UF 11)
 Mix (UF11 & Intermode with short P4)
 Selective Mode-S
ROLL-CALL
(UF: 4, 5, 20, 21 or 24)
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
STRATEGY
 A Strategy is a sequence of interrogation periods programmed by an operator of a Mode-S Interrogator system
 During the rotation of a Mode-S radar antenna, two different interrogation periods can be distinguished, one called All-Call and another one Roll-Call.
 The All-Call period is used by Mode-S radars for detection and surveillance of SSR Transponders and acquisition of Mode-S Transponders.
 The Roll-Call period is used for selective surveillance and/or data transference with Mode-S Transponders.
 During All-Call periods, a Mode-S ground station can use the following interrogation protocols:
 Mode A/C.
 Mode A/C/S (Intermodes).
 Mode-S Only All-Call (UF 11).
 Mix (UF11 & Intermode with short P4).
 During Roll-Call periods, a Mode-S ground station can use the following interrogation protocols:
 Selective Mode-S (UF: 4, 5, 20, 21 or 24).
 EUROCONTROL specifies as a Basic Strategy, the alternating of both interrogation periods, All-Call and Roll-Call.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Stocastic Acquisition
THIS TECHNIQUE IS USED TO SOLVE GARBLING

DURING ALL-CALL PERIODS (SITUATION # 1)
Example using PR=½

SITUATION # 1:
 Both aircrafts receive the All-Call interrogation and decide to reply.
 Hence, their replies are received overlapped and they can not be
decoded (lost replies).
SITUATION # 2:
 Only one aircraft decides to reply (e.g. B), allowing its acquisition.
SITUATION # 3:
 The acquired aircraft B is locked out via a selective interrogation (lockout
protocol).
SITUATION # 4:
 Both aircrafts receive the All-Call interrogation, but only the aircraft A
replies, allowing its acquisition.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
STOCASTIC ACQUISITION
 Stochastic acquisition is a technique used during the all-call period to acquire closely spaced targets entering coverage and solving garbling
situations.
 Mode-S only All-call interrogation has an internal field to specify the probability of reply from transponders.
 This reply probability field (PR) is a 4-bit field which can have of following values: 1, ½, ¼, 1/8 or 1/16.
 A transponder, after decoding PR, will use an internal random function depending on the received value in this field, to decide whether or not it will
send a Mode-S only all-call reply.
 This technique uses a reply probability different to 1.
 Operationally, only the probabilities of reply 1, ½, and ¼ are used.
 An interrogator can provoke that a transponder ignores its lockout to a specific Mode-S All-Call interrogation (LOCKOUT OVERRIDE).
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Lockout Protocol
An effective Strategy for decreasing Fruit & Garbling issues during All-call Periods,
improving the acquisition probability.
A Mode-S Interrogator can only lock out to an acquired Mode-S transponder by

means of selective interrogations (UF4, UF5, UF20 & UF21).
Lockout protocol does that a Mode-S transponder ignores the Mode-S only All-Call
interrogations from a Mode-S interrogator which locked it. That interrogator is identified
by its IC code.
The Mode-S transponder is locked out for a period of 18 seconds.
Some times, a Mode-S interrogator can do that a Mode-S transponder ignores its lockout,
if necessary (LOCKOUT OVERRIDE).
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
LOCKOUT PROTOCOL
 Lockout protocol is an effective strategy to decrease Fruit & Garbling issues during All-call Periods, and improve the acquisition probability.
 Targets that have been acquired in the all-call period are subsequently selectively interrogated for surveillance information in the Roll-Call period.
Therefore, a Mode-S interrogator can apply lockout on them to avoid they reply to its all-call interrogations.
 Lockout protocol can only applied on acquired transponders by means of selective interrogations (UF4, UF5, UF20 & UF21).
 A Mode-S Transponder only doesn’t reply to Mode-S only All-Call interrogations that have been sent from an interrogator which locked it.
 An interrogator is identified by transponders through its IC code (II/SI code).
 The transponder is locked out for a period of 18 seconds (internal timer).
 An interrogator will normally reset the lockout timer by using all selective surveillance interrogations, to assure the acquired transponders don’t reply
during their flight inside its coverage.
LOCKOUT OVERRIDE
 Some times, a Mode-S interrogator can do that a Mode-S transponder ignores its lockout, if necessary.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
SSR Modes
P1 P3
MAIN FEATURES: P2
Σ
 Modes 1, 2, A & C Mode 1
Ω
 Modes B & D are not used 2 µs
 Modes A & C: used in Civil ATC

3 µs
 P1 & P3: transmitted on SUM
 P2: transmitted on OMNI (ISLS) P1 P3
P2
 P1 & P2: transmitted on OMNI (IISLS) Σ Mode 2
 P1-P3 separation: 8.0 (A) or 21.0 (C) ± 0.2 µsec Ω
5 µs
 P1-P2 separation: 2.0 ± 0.15 µsec
 Pulse width: 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec
P1 P3
P2
Σ
Mode 3/A
Ω
8 µs
P1 P3
P2
Σ
Ω Mode C
21 µs
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
WAVEFORMS OF SSR MODES:
 An SSR interrogation consist of two pulses called P1 and P3, which are transmitted on the SUM antenna pattern.
 A pulse called P2 is sent on the OMNI (Control) antenna pattern to perform ISLS function.
 The P1 & P2 pulses are sent together on the OMNI (Control) antenna pattern to perform IISLS function.
 The interval between P1 and P3 determines the mode of interrogation:
 Mode 1: 3 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode 2: 5 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode 3/A: 8 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode B: 17 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode C: 21 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Mode D: 25 ± 0.2 µsec.
 The P2 pulse is always transmitted 2 ± 0.15 µsec after the P1 pulse.
 The pulse features are:
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
Intermodes (Mode A/C/S)
MEAN FEATURES:
 Intemodes A & C
 P1 & P3: transmitted on SUM
 P2: transmitted on OMNI (ISLS)
 P1 & P2: transmitted on OMNI (IISLS)
 P1-P3 separation: 8.0 (A) or 21.0 (C) ± 0.2 µsec
 Pulse width (P1, P2 & P3): 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec
 Short P4 width: 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec
 Long P4 width: 1.6 ± 0.1 µsec
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
WAVEFORMS OF INTERMODES:
 An Intermode interrogation consist of three pulses called P1, P3 and P4, which are transmitted on the SUM antenna pattern.
 The P1 & P2 pulses are sent together on the OMNI (Control) antenna pattern to perform IISLS function.
 The interval between P1 and P3 determines the mode of interrogation:
 Intermode A: 8 ± 0.2 µsec.
 Intermode C: 21 ± 0.2 µsec.
 The features of the pulses P1, P2, P3 and short P4 are:
 The features of the long P4 pulse are:
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
Mode-s
MEAN FEATURES:
 P1, P2 & P6: transmitted on SUM
 P5: transmitted on OMNI (ISLS)
 P1 & P2: suppress Mode A/C Transponders
 P6: data block (DPSK Modulation)
 SPR: Sync Phase Reversal
 P2-SPR separation: 2.75 ± 0.05 µsec
 SPR-1st chip separation: 0.5 µsec
 Pulse width (P1, P2 & P5): 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec
 Short P6 width: 16.25 ± 0.25 µsec
 Long P6 width: 30.25 ± 0.25 µsec
 Chip width: 0.25 µsec
 Number of Chips (short P6): 56
 Number of Chips (long P6): 112
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
WAVEFORMS OF MODE-S:
 A Mode-S interrogation consist of three pulses called P1, P2 and P6, which are transmitted on the SUM antenna pattern.
 The interval of time between P2 and SPR (Sync Phase reversal) is 2.75 ± 0.05 µsec.
 The features of pulses P1, P2 and P5 are:
 The features of short P6 pulse are:
 The features of long P6 pulse are:
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
WAVEFORMS OF MODE-S:
 The features of Chips are:
 The width is 0.25 µsec.
 The number of chips for a short P6 is 56.
 The number of chips for a long P6 is 112.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
Mode-s: Data Block Modulation
0101011 0…
φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
DPSK MODULATION:
φ 0: Reference phase for the first chip (sync phase)
φ 1: Phased 180º in relation with the reference phase
If the chip phase is the same than the previous chip phase
the assigned binary value is ‘0’, in other case it is ‘1’.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
DPSK MODULATION:
 The P6 pulse has the data block of Mode-S interrogations.
 This pulse can have a data block of 56-bit (short) or 112-bit (long).
 The data block is modulated in DPSK modulation (a type of modulation in phase).
 DPSK modulation considers a binary '1' value if a change in phase (180º) with respect to the previous chip is performed, and a binary
‘0’ value if no phase change.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
Mode-s: Interrogator Side Lobe Suppression (ISLS)
(SPR)
If SPR is interfered by P5:

No reply is generated.
 The phase of the P6 signal must be determined by the transponder before the SPR time, in order to be
able to decode the interrogation data block and subsequently to generate the appropriate reply.
 The P5 pulse must be sent on the omnidirectional antenna pattern to implement the ISLS.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
INTERROGATOR SIDE LOBE SUPPRESSION (ISLS):
 A pulse, called P5, is sent by Mode-S interrogators on the OMNI (Control) antenna pattern to perform ISLS function.
 If this pulse interferes the detection of the SPR (Sync Phase Reversal) in the P6 pulse of the interrogation, the transponder can not decode the
interrogation data block and subsequently no reply is generated.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
Mode-S Mix Interrogation
Mode-S & Intermode with Short P4:

 One All-Call period is used to interrogate in Mode-S and Intermode with short P4, together.
 The Mode-S only All-Call interrogation acquires Mode-S transponders.
 The Intermode interrogation with short P4 detects or tracks Mode A/C transponders.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Uplink Formats
MODE-S MIX INTERROGATION:
 Mode-S Mix interrogation is only generated during All-Call interrogation periods.
 In this case, a same All-Call period is used to interrogate in Mode-S and Intermode with short P4, together.
 The Mode-S All-Call (UF11) interrogation acquires Mode-S transponders.
 The Intermode interrogation with short P4 detects or tracks Mode A/C transponders.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Downlink Formats
SSR Reply
0 1,45 20,3 24,65 t (µs)

0,45
MEAN FEATURES:
 F1 & F2: framing pulses
 A, B, C & D: code pulses (octal code)
 X pulse: not used
 SPI pulse: only Mode A (optional)
 F1-F2 separation: 20.3 ± 0.1 µsec
 F2-SPI separation: 4.35 ± 0.1 µsec
 Separation between code pulses: 1.45 ± 0.15 µsec
 Pulse width: 0.45 ± 0.1 µsec
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Downlink Formats
WAVEFORM OF SSR REPLY:
 An SSR reply is determined for two framing pulses or brackets , called F1 and F2 and spaced 20.3 ± 0.1 µsec.
 Several information pulses are defined within the framing pulses with the following features:
 They are spaced in increments of 1.45 ± 0.15 µsec, from the first framing pulse (F1).
 The designation and position of these pulses are as follows:
 C1 (1.45 µsec), A1 (2.90 µsec), C2 (4.35 µsec), A2 (5.80 µsec), C4 (7.25 µsec), A4 (8.70 µsec), X (10.15 µsec), B1 (11.60 µsec), D1
(13.05 µsec), B2 (14.50 µsec), D2 (15.95 µsec), B4 (17.40 µsec), and D4 (18.85 µsec).
 The pulse X is not used.
 They define an octal code of 4 digits (3 bits per digit) consisting of:
 A (A4-A2-A1) B (B4-B2-B1) C (C4-C2-C1) D (D4-D2-D1): from 0000 to 7777.
 In addition to the information pulses, a special position identification pulse (SPI) shall be after the pulse F2, spaced at an interval of 4.35 ± 0.1 µsec,
of Mode A replies only.
 Features of pulses:
 The pulse duration must be 0.45 ± 0.1 µsec.
 The rise time must be between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.
 The fall time must be between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Downlink Formats
Mode-S Reply
MEAN FEATURES:
 Preamble: 4 pulses (PP1, PP2, PP3 & PP4)
 Data block: 56-bit (short reply) or 112-bit (long reply)
 Data block modulation: PPM Modulation
 PP1-PP2 separation: 1.0 ± 0.05 µsec
 PP1-Bit1 separation: 8.0 µsec
 Bit duration: 1.0 µsec
 Data block pulse width: 0.5 or 1.0 ± 0.05 µsec
 Data block lenght: 56 (short reply) or 112 (long reply) µsec
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Downlink Formats
WAVEFORM OF MODE-S REPLY:
 An Mode-S reply consists of a preamble and a data block.
 The preamble has 4 pulses. These pulses are spaced each other as follows:
 PP1-PP2 : 1.0 ± 0.05 µsec
 PP1-PP3 : 3.5 ± 0.05 µsec
 PP1-PP4 : 4.5 ± 0.05 µsec
 The features of the preamble pulses are:
 The pulse duration must be 0.5 ± 0.05 µsec.
 The rise time must be between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.
 The fall time must be between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.
 The data block has a number of bits of 56 (short reply) or 112 (long reply).
 The information inside the data block is modulated in PPM modulation (Pulse Position Modulation), which divides each Bit duration in two parts to define a value ‘0’ or
‘1’.
 A value ‘0’ has a low level in the first part, and a high level in the other one. The value ‘1’ is the opposite case.
 The first Bit is spaced from the first preamble pulse in 8.0 µsec.
 The duration of each Bit is 1.0 µsec.
 The features of the data block pulses are:
 The pulse duration must be 0.5 or 1.0 ± 0.05 µsec.
 The rise time must be between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.
 The fall time must be between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Detection & Processing of Replies
Reply Processing
MODE A/C REPLIES
 Identical processing that an SSR system performs

 Code validation:
 2 correlated replies per mode
 1 reply per mode & validated by tracking process
MODE-S REPLIES
 Different process than for an SSR reply

 Code validation:
 1 correct reply per mode
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Detection & Processing of Replies
MODE A/C REPLIES:
 The processing of SSR replies is identical to that performed by an SSR system
 The condition to validate an SSR code can be any of the following:
 2 consecutive replies correlated in range and azimuth, per mode.

 1 reply per mode and validated by tracking process.
MODE-S REPLIES:
 The processing of Mode-S replies is different than for SSR replies
 The condition to validate a Mode-S code is the following:
 1 correct reply per mode.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Tracking & Plot Processing
TRACKING
 Mode-S operation is based on the fact that the approximated position of an aircraft
must be previously knew (tracking process) to perform selective interrogations.
 That position is calculated using the target historic position information, stored on
the track information.
ROLL-CALL LIST
 Contains all surveillance information of all Mode-S targets acquired inside the
coverage of the system, via Mode-S All-Call interrogations.
 That information includes the position of each target, the content of their DAPs (BDS
registers), and the expiration times of each DAP to control their extraction from
transponders.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Output Data: Asterix Format Categories
RADAR
MODE A/C DATA MODE-S
 AST CAT 1  AST CAT 48
 AST CAT 2  AST CAT 34
SERVICE
MESSAGES
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Radar Data: CAT 048 (Next version of CAT 001)
 Message structure used for the transmission of Monoradar Data Target Reports (plots and
tracks) from a Radar Surveillance System (PSRs, SSRs, MSSRs and Mode S ground station) to
one or more SDP systems.
Service Messages: CAT 034 (Next version of CAT 002)
 Message structure used for the transmission of Monoradar Service Messages (status, North
marker, sector crossing messages) from a Radar Surveillance System (PSRs, SSRs, MSSRs
and Mode S ground station) to one or more SDP systems.
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Asterix CAT 048: Standard Data Items

DATA ITEM INFORMATION
I048/010 Data Source Identifier
I048/020 Target Report Descriptor
I048/030 Warning/Error Conditions
I048/040 Measured Position in Polar Coordinates
I048/050 Mode-2 Code in Octal Representation
I048/055 Mode-1 Code in Octal Representation
I048/060 Mode-2 Code Confidence Indicator
I048/065 Mode-1 Code Confidence Indicator
I048/070 Mode-3/A Code in Octal Representation
I048/080 Mode-3/A Code Confidence Indicator
I048/090 Flight Level in Binary Representation
I048/100 Mode-C Code and Code Confidence Indicator
I048/130 Radar Plot Characteristics
I048/140 Time of Day
I048/220 Aircraft Address
I048/230 Communications/ACAS Capability and Flight Status
I048/240 Aircraft Identification
I048/250 Mode S MB Data
I048/260 ACAS Resolution Advisory Report
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Asterix CAT 034: Standard Data Items
DATA ITEM INFORMATION
I034/000 Message type
I034/010 Data Source Identifier
I034/020 Sector Number
I034/030 Time of Day
I034/041 Antenna Rotation Period
I034/050 System Configuration and Status
0011810000800MA07_4_0
14/02/2014
Indra
Ctra. de Loeches, 9
28850 Torrejón de Ardoz,
Madrid - Spain
T +34 91 627 10 00
www.indra.es

Mode S Introduction INDRA PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mode S Introduction INDRA PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TRAINING COURSE

BASIC CONCEPTS ON MSSR

Surveillance Radar Systems

Doc. Nº: 0011810000800MA07

PAGE EDITION AND REVISION RECORD DOCUMENT CHANGES RECORD

1 to 55 1 0 1 0 14/04/2008 All First Edition.

1 to 55 2 0 2 0 26/02/2009 All Update.

1 to 56 3 0 3 0 23/05/2011 All Update.

1 to 113 4 0 4 0 14/02/2014 All Update.

SDP Surveillance Data Processing

01 - Secondary Surveillance Radar Systems 04 - Evolution from MSSR to Mode-S

Cooperative & Independent

 A Transponder is an airborne equipment of aircraft used to reply to SSR interrogations.

 Two interrogation modes are normally used in ATC:

 Mode 3/A: common civil and military identification.

 Mode C: Flight level.

Cooperative & Independent

Ω  Target Azimuth (better Accuracy) → Monopulse technique: Σ & Δ

01 - Introduction 04 - Evolution from MSSR to Mode-S

 The polarization of the interrogation is predominantly vertical

IRF & STAGGER

 The polarization of the interrogation is nominally vertical

ATC Modes → 3/A & C

 Military Mode 2 is usually used to request airframe number of an individual aircraft.

 Civil Modes B and D have never been used.

Mode 3/A: 8.0 µs

IRF & STAGGER

 The interrogation consist of two pulses named P1 and P3.

 The interval between P1 and P3 determines the mode of interrogation as follows:

 Mode 1: 3 ± 0.2 µsec.

 Mode 2: 5 ± 0.2 µsec.

 Mode 3/A: 8 ± 0.2 µsec.

 Mode B: 17 ± 0.2 µsec.

 Mode C: 21 ± 0.2 µsec.

 Mode D: 25 ± 0.2 µsec.

 The features of this pulses as indicated below:

 The pulse duration is 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec.

 The rise time is between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.

 The fall time is between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.

 IRF (Interrogation Repetition Frequency) corresponds with the

IRF & STAGGER

IISLS Used to avoid the correlation of undesired

INTERROGATION SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION

Used to avoid reply

IRF & STAGGER

 Control Pulse Features:

 The pulse is transmitted following the first interrogation pulse (P1).

 The interval between P1 and P2 is 2.0 ± 0.15 µsec.

 The pulse duration is 0.8 ± 0.1 µsec.

 The rise time is between 0.05 and 0.1 µsec.

 The fall time is between 0.05 and 0.2 µsec.

IMPROVED INTERROGATION SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION

Used to avoid replying to

IRF & STAGGER

01 - Introduction 04 - Evolution from MSSR to Mode-S

Mode A/C Systems:

 The polarization of the reply is predominantly vertical

 The polarization of the reply is predominantly vertical

STC (Volts - threshold)

PLOT GEN. Att = 0 dB T

RECEIVER SIDE LOBE SUPRESSION

Used to avoid processing of

DIFF & SUM main lobes