ADS-B Theory

Overview

• Introduction
- This lesson provides an overview of the ADS-B System.
- There are three topics:
 Topic 1 – Overview
 Topic 2 – Benefits
 Topic 3 – Message Formats
• Objective
- Using written documentation, you will be able to describe the purpose,
characteristics, and benefits of the ADS-B System.

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ADS-B Overview

• Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast.

- Automatic - No pilot input required
- Dependent – Requires properly equipped aircraft or vehicle
- Surveillance - Provides aircraft position, altitude, speed, and other data
- Broadcast - Any appropriately equipped ground station or aircraft can monitor the
ADS-B signal
• The ADS-B concept
- To transmit automatically (without pilot command) aircraft identification, position,
route, and speed for Surveillance applications
• Messages are broadcast towards non-designated addressees
• Relies on satellite-based global positioning system (GPS)

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 ADS-B Benefits
Air-to-Air
• Improved Separation Standards
• Enhanced See and Avoid
• Enhanced Operations for En Route
Air-to-Air
Airport Surface
• Improved Pilot Situational
Awareness
• Enhanced Controller Management of
Surface Traffic
• Reduced Potential for Runway
Incursion / Ground Collision

Air-to-Ground
• Surveillance Coverage in Non-Radar
Airspace (with Improved Separation
Standards)
• Enhanced Special VFR Operations

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 ADS-B Benefits

• ADS-B advantages over conventional radar

FEATURE ADS-B RADAR

Update rate Once per second Once every 4.8 seconds

(Terminal)
Once every 12 seconds
(Enroute)
Altitude accuracy Reports to the nearest 25 Reports to the nearest 100 feet
feet
Mechanical No moving mechanical Moving mechanical parts
parts
Position Accuracy Typically +/- 10 meters or Varies according to distance
better
Velocity vector Rate of climb / descent; Direction; speed
direction; speed
Coverage Down to surface (line of May not be down to surface
sight)

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ADS-B Message Format

• ADS-B equipped aircraft or ground vehicles broadcast extended Mode

S messages
 DF17 Replies to interrogations
 DF18 Cannot reply to interrogations
 DF19 (military use only)
• The message contains five parts
- DF Type
- Capability
- Aircraft/Vehicle ID
- Message
- Parity

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ADS-B Overview

Lesson Review

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Lesson Review

• Relies on satellite-based global positioning system (GPS)

• Messages are broadcast towards non-designated addressees
• ADS-B system receives and decodes ADS-B messages
• Provides benefits in safety and efficiency
• Used to improve surveillance
• ADS-B message formats include DF17, DF18 and DF19

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