Avionics Monitoring
The ADS-B Monitoring Project of the CASCADE Programme covers the following activities:
- Monitoring the ADS-B 1090 ES airborne data content and quality (using ADS-B 1090 ES, Multilateration and Radar data).
- Monitoring the ADS-B 1090 ES equipage, i.e. the declared capability (contained within the Mode S reports in ASTERIX Cat 48) and the actual equipage (derived using ADS-B reports in ASTERIX Cat 21)
ADS-B Monitoring Project analysis
The analysis that is performed is based on the comparison of the ADS-B 1090 ES reported data against a reconstructed reference based on multi-radar data derived from four overlapping Radars for airborne performance and Multilateration (MLAT) data for airport performance. This data is provided by the participating ANSPs from the following ADS-B out monitoring sites:
- Langen, Germany (DFS) (ADS-B and Radar)
- EUROCONTROL Experimental Center Bretigny (Paris), France (DSNA) (ADS-B and Radar)
- Toulouse, France (DSNA) (ADS-B and Radar)
- Athens, Greece (HCAA) (ADS-B and Radar)
- Schiphol, Netherlands (LVNL) (ADS-B and Radar)
- Warlingham, U.K. (NATS) (ADS-B and Radar)
- Schiphol, Netherlands (LVNL) (ADS-B and MLAT)
- Charles De Gaulle, France (DSNA) (ADS-B and MLAT)
ADS-B Monitoring Project tools
The tools used for this analysis are based on the SASS-C V6.7 (ADS-B and Radar) and the AVTool V8 modified to process also MLAT and ADS-B data. The analysis results are compared to the requirements of the airborne segment in the relevant standards and certification documents such as EUROCAE ED-126, EASA AMC 20-24 for ADS-B NRA, EUROCAE ED-161 for ADS-B RAD etc.
Whilst an assessment of the ADS-B pioneer aircraft is currently of particular interest to the Programme, the performance and capabilities of other aircraft is also assessed. The analysis of these ‘non-pioneer’ aircraft will play an increasingly dominant part in future activities. So far, more that 10 billion ADS-B reports from thousands of ADS-B equipped aircraft have been analysed.
The information derived through the analysis of the ADS-B Monitoring Project not only helps to identify and resolve avionic anomalies but also provides a good understanding of the current performance and configuration of ADS-B equipped aircraft. This information will also be used to support an assessment of how equipage trends evolve following the publication of ADS-B related mandates by the European Commission and other parties.
Project partnership
The ADS-B Monitoring Project co-operates with all relevant stakeholders, i.e. airframe manufacturers, avionics manufacturers, ANSPs etc. in resolving any avionic anomalies it identifies.
Information regarding such anomalies and performance assessments is also exchanged with other international ADS-B implementers such as the FAA, NAV Canada and Airservices Australia.
In fulfilling the role described above the ADS-B Monitoring Project activities are seen as key to supporting the operational introduction of ADS-B across Europe.