Surveillance System and Sensors

At EUROCONTROL, we work with our stakeholders to support the implementation, modernisation and optimisation of surveillance (end-to-end) system and sensors as part of our wider surveillance domain activities. Our work aims at the transition to a cost, spectrum and environmentally efficient Surveillance infrastructure, meeting the performance needs of the European ATM Network. We cover ground, airborne and space-based components.

We monitor and support the operation, evolution and sustainability of surveillance infrastructure and its applications in the European air traffic management (ATM) network.

We provide support for the implementation of EU Regulations related with Surveillance, in cooperation with European Union (EU) institutions and stakeholders.

Our objective is to improve network performance and ensure global interoperability using an optimal mix of Mode S, multilateration, ground- and space-based ADS-B and non-cooperative surveillance.

We aim to optimise the use of surveillance data in Europe.

We provide surveillance implementation, modernisation and optimisation support to stakeholders and so contribute to achieving the European ATM Network performance objectives.

We support synergies, integration and the rationalisation of infrastructure in the surveillance domain and with other systems, while supporting operational excellence through a holistic, cross-domain, network perspective. In this context, we lead and support the relevant activities of the Operational Excellence Programme (OEP) and also support the activities of the CNS Programme Manager (CNS PM). We support the harmonised and efficient use of Downlinked Aircraft Parameters as well as the integration of low-end aircraft and drones.

We maintain the Aviation Surveillance Test (AVT) platform and test current and new Surveillance functionalities in collaboration with our stakeholders. In this context, we publish:

• implementation monitoring plans and reports;
• specifications (Surveillance component level or end-to-end Performance Based Surveillance PBS);
• guidance material;
• evaluation report

We support our stakeholders on the implementation of the EU regulation s related with Surveillance, including (EU) 2023/1770 and (EU) 2017/373.

We cooperate with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on various topics such as the production of acceptable means of compliance and guidance material for the EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1770 and (EU) 2017/373.

Furthermore, our long-standing ADS-B activity addresses our stakeholders’ needs in a comprehensive end-to-end approach, including operational, technical, planning and business aspects.

We report on surveillance equipage monitoring, such as the ADS-B airborne equipage evolution and the implementation progress monitoring on a periodic basis.

At EUROCONTROL, we co-lead and support performance based surveillance (PBS) in close cooperation with our stakeholders and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

In the context of PBS, we deliver the European specification of surveillance system performance (ESASSP), which is used by the stakeholders for the demonstration of compliance of their surveillance system for various applications (3 and 5 nm separation, 2.5 nm in approach, 3 nm in En-Route etc.). A new version of this document was published in 2024.

We also co-lead and contribute to the standards and specifications for surveillance avionics, ADS-B ground stations, multilateration systems, independent non-cooperative surveillance, etc, in cooperation with EUROCAE and RTCA.

We aim at maximising the use of surveillance (ground, airborne and space-based) including aircraft derived data (ADD) or downlinked aircraft parameters (DAP) in order to increase the benefits from the stakeholder investments. This is supported by the sharing of best practices by our stakeholders.

We develop guidance material for the operational use of DAP/ADD. The first version of this document can be found just below.

We are also working in the area of SUR for “all” with EASA, EUROCAE and stakeholders. This includes conspicuity of low-end GA and drone surveillance.

We cooperate with EASA for the definition of conspicuity equipage for low-end aircraft with the focus on:

• reducing the risk of mid-air collisions by enhancing the pilot´s situational awareness
• enabling electronic conspicuity for manned aircraft in U-space, without ATC service.

We aim to ensure interoperability, affordability and sufficient performance to increase safety.

Furthermore, EASA and EUROCONTROL are jointly working on a drone surveillance white paper, aimed at supporting a harmonised and efficient approach for the stakeholder community.

In addition, support is provided to EUROCAE Working Groups on related topics such as C-UAS and U-space service specifications.

We contribute to SESAR projects since the start of the programme, in areas such as surveillance strategy and roadmap, PBS, ADS-B, rationalisation, security etc.

The modernisation process of Surveillance systems started in the early 2000s and included the transition from SSR Mode A/C to SSR Mode S technology, implementation of multilateration systems and ADS-B as well as the use of state-of-the-art surveillance data processing and evaluation systems. EUROCONTROL has coordinated and supported this process since the beginning, with relevant activities such as the Mode S programme, CASCADE programme (ADS-B and multilateration), etc.

The cornerstones for network performance improvements are Mode S and ADS-B airborne equipage combined with a cost and spectrum efficient ground (or space)-based surveillance infrastructure (optimal mix of sensors).

Key inputs to this activity are the results of monitoring 1030/1090 MHz radio frequency bands and surveillance avionics, as well as progressing the implementation of ground Surveillance products.

The stakeholder coordination on the Surveillance System and Sensors work is performed by the Network Surveillance User Group (NSUR), which reports to the Surveillance Steering Group (SUR-SG).