Strategic and ATM Network Management Context

The vision for ground Surveillance as outlined in the Strategic Guidance in support of the Execution of the European ATM Master Plan (see Surveillance Library section), foresees in en-route and terminal areas the combination of ADS-B with independent Surveillance, the latter provided by MSSR or Mode S or Wide Area Multilateration.

ADS-B as an enabler of new airborne applications

Airborne ADS-B systems will be available as enablers of the new separation modes. These airborne applications will require changes in the avionics (“ADS-B out” and “ADS-B in”) to process and display the air situation picture to the pilot.

ADS-B within the Surveillance Infrastructure

The introduction of ADS-B in the Surveillance infrastructure provides important features which can be exploited by the ATM Network:

• Full “Network-wide” Surveillance coverage:
  • Surveillance “everywhere”, i.e. no gaps from gate-to-gate
  • Air-to-air Surveillance possible, i.e. traffic situational awareness picture available on board
    • The aircraft is integral part of the Network
  • Surveillance data provided directly from on-board systems
• High performance e.g. accuracy
• Improved safety
• Increased capacity
• Cost-efficiency :
  
  • Reduced cost of the Surveillance infrastructure (ADS-B and WAM are cheaper than radar)
  • More efficient flight profiles (in oceanic and continental airspace where previously surveillance was not cost-effective)
• Environmental sustainability (fuel savings and CO2 reduction)
• Reduced RF pollution (leading to an increased viability of the 1090 MHz datalink)
• Global Interoperability
• Foundation for future SESAR ATC applications (spacing, separation, self-separation)

For airports, a locally optimised mix of the available technologies, i.e. airport Multilateration, Surface Movement Radars and ADS-B, will enable A-SMGCS systems and integrated airport operations. This includes the availability of Surveillance information on a moving map, using an HMI in the cockpit and in surface vehicles.

A short video explaining a few of the benefits that ADS-B and WAM can achieve and some aspects the Cascade programme can be found via this link.