ADS-B Position Validation Using Time-Synchronized Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
ADS-B messages lack authentication and validation, leading to risks of erroneous or misleading information due to errors or malicious spoofing, which can cause collisions and hazardous conditions for surrounding vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system where multiple time-synchronized vehicles receive and timestamp ADS-B messages, transmitting this data to a second vehicle or ground station for centralized processing to determine the validity of the horizontal position information by comparing estimated positions based on timestamp differences and altitude information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ADS-B messages are used for real-time tracking and situational awareness, then productivity and situational awareness are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthenticated and unvalidated position information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a validation intermediary system that receives ADS-B messages from multiple vehicles, determines their validity by comparing positions and timestamps, and provides validated information back to receiving vehicles. This intermediary validation layer resolves the contradiction by maintaining real-time tracking while ensuring position information reliability through cross-verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having vehicles transmit their received ADS-B messages and determined positions back to other vehicles or ground stations. This feedback loop enables continuous validation where the system learns from multiple data sources and provides authenticated information, resolving the reliability issue while preserving real-time operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If multiple vehicles participate in validating ADS-B messages, then reliability of position information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes vehicles universal participants in validation by enabling any vehicle with ADS-B In capability to both receive and validate messages. Vehicles perform multiple functions: receiving ADS-B data, determining their own positions, transmitting validation data, and having their data used for validating others. This multi-functionality improves reliability without requiring dedicated complex validation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation system is self-service oriented, where vehicles automatically participate in validating each other using their own navigation systems and receivers. Each vehicle contributes its received messages and determined position to the validation process, and benefits from the collective validation effort. This self-service approach distributes complexity across multiple simple nodes rather than requiring a single complex centralized system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of validating ADS-B is described herein. The method includes receiving, from time synchronized vehicles, ADS-B data (identifier, horizontal position information, and altitude information for a first vehicle) with a timestamp (defining a time of reception of the ADS-B message). The method includes receiving, from each vehicle, a determined position at the time of reception of the ADS-B message. The method includes determining differences in time of arrival for the ADS-B message to each vehicle, extracting altitude information from the ADS-B data, and determining an estimated horizontal position of the first vehicle based on the differences in time of arrival, the determined positions received from each vehicle, and the extracted altitude information. The method includes determining whether the horizontal position information in the ADS-B message is valid based on a comparison of the estimated horizontal position of the first vehicle and the horizontal position information in the ADS-B message.