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[Obie]

quote:

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Originally posted by TomK

Primary and secondary radar I understand, as well as what a transponder does. But I don't know what ADS-B is. I know people have posted links, but I think a summary from someone who knows what they're talking about would be useful. It's what I try and do if I post something about astronomy if I get questioned, so am hoping someone can return the favour.

Thanks!

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Hey Tom

Here is a simplified explanation :


"ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. It’s a dreadful name that only an engineer could love, but it happens to be fairly descriptive. Let’s look at each part of it:

Automatic–properly-equipped aircraft automatically report their position, without need for a radar interrogation

Dependent–ADS-B depends on aircraft having an approved WAAS GPS on board and an ADS-B Out transmitter

Surveillance–it is a surveillance technology that allows ATC to watch airplanes move around

Broadcast–aircraft broadcast their position information to airplanes and ATC

This system doesn’t need radar to work properly, but it will depend on a network of ground stations to receive aircraft reports and send them back to ATC. These stations also transmit weather and traffic information back up to properly-equipped aircraft. This network currently consists of over 700 stations, and the initial phase is complete. So when you hear that ADS-B moves from a “ground-based” radar system to a “satellite-based” system, it’s only partially true.

ADS-B is a part of the Next Gen ATC system."

I borrowed all of that from a website I found rather than try to put it in words myself.I retired from the industry in 2007 so I am not quite up to date myself.

Obie