Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Update

Subscribe To Download This Insight

1Q 2018 | IN-4860

GPS has become a household term in today’s realm of technical jargon. From cellphones to personal trackers and fitness watches, GPS is everywhere. Nowhere is this more evident than in the modernization of today’s air traffic control system. There are myriad news reports of the use of GPS in aircraft but the public has been receiving only one-half of the story. While the GPS receiver will obtain the aircraft’s position via a GPS satellite this information is of little use if it cannot be shared with ground controllers and other aircraft.

Registered users can unlock up to five pieces of premium content each month.

Log in or register to unlock this Insight.

 

What is ADS-B?

NEWS


GPS has become a household term in today’s realm of technical jargon. From cellphones to personal trackers and fitness watches, GPS is everywhere.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the modernization of today’s air traffic control system. There are myriad news reports of the use of GPS in aircraft but the public has been receiving only one-half of the story. While the GPS receiver will obtain the aircraft’s position via a GPS satellite this information is of little use if it cannot be shared with ground controllers and other aircraft.

This is where Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) comes in. The ADS-B system transmits position, altitude and other critical aircraft information from its internal GPS receiver to ground stations and to other aircraft. This is done via an on-board transponder. Some existing aircraft transponders (mostly for commercial aircraft) can be software upgraded to provide this information or new stand-alone transponder equipment can be added to aircraft (especially private planes). GPS/ADS-B equipped planes will be able to determine and relay their critical information with more precision than the current radar based system in use now. ADS-B promises to modernize and simplify the world’s air traffic control system.

The FAA has mandated that aircraft operating in practically all the controlled air space in the U.S. to be ADS-B operational by January 1, 2020. Other parts of the world are also implementing ADS-B but at different time schedules from the U.S.

Where are we now?

IMPACT


Commercial aircraft deployment of ADS-B is proceeding in an orderly fashion within the U.S. Almost all the en route air traffic control facilities have ADS-B already functional and nearly half of the terminal radar approach facilities (TRACON) are also similarly equipped. By 2019, ADS-B should be deployed with the rest of the U.S. TRACONs.

The following map shows the ADS-B coverage within the U.S. at approximately mid-2017

Additionally, the U.S. is working with Mexico to expand ADS-B over the Gulf of Mexico.

General aviation aircraft (private) were originally a concern as some felt that the additional cost of ADS-B transponders would be burdensome. Original cost estimates had this equipment costing north of $5,000 but pricing has improved dramatically with some basic models now at less than $2,000. In September of 2016 the FAA offered a $500 rebate incentive to hep ADS-B deployment among private aircraft.

The FAA has estimated that about 150,000 aircraft will need to be equipped with ADS-B systems.

What’s ahead for the future?

COMMENTARY


ADS-B/GPS deployment will be important and the commercial airline operators are embracing it. When fully operational, plane to plane spacing can be reduced and more direct routes can be flown. This boils down to less fuel being used and improved scheduling and operational aspects.

It is appropriate now to mention that these new ADSB-B transponders will result in some upside for the RF power devices used in the transponder’s power amplifier. These will operate at the same frequencies as current identification and collision avoidance equipment (1030 to 1090 MHz) within L-Band. Power output requirements for the devices in these transponders will be at several hundred watts peak each.

While it is difficult to estimate the upside from this one needs to remember that this equipment, and its component parts, will need to be on the lower end of the cost scale for general aviation equipment. Commercial equipment will not be affected by this to any great degree.

This increase in RF power device sales will be somewhat offset by a long-term potential slight decline in devices for interrogator radar for the existing ATC system.

Services

Companies Mentioned