ADS-B Traffic Snooping for Coverage Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-participating aircraft equipped with ADS-B In capability lack air traffic information furnished by ATC systems, as TIS-B data does not provide coverage to aircraft without ADS-B Out capability, limiting situational awareness for flight crews.
Innovation Solution
An ADS-B system with a receiver assembly and processing system that determines if the ownship aircraft is within the coverage area of an ATC ground station by comparing its position with the client list of aircraft included in TIS-B air traffic information, using a GNSS for position determination and receiving TIS-B transmissions to identify included aircraft, and providing an indication of coverage availability to the flight crew.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TIS-B data is broadcast only to aircraft with ADS-B Out capability, then the ATC system maintains data integrity and reliability, but non-participating aircraft with ADS-B In capability are excluded from receiving air traffic information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the ATC ground station broadcasts TIS-B data including a client list identifying which aircraft are included in the coverage. This allows non-participating aircraft to receive and process the information, determining their own inclusion status without requiring ADS-B Out capability. The intermediary element (client list in broadcast data) enables extended coverage while maintaining data integrity.
2Loss of information
If the system provides comprehensive air traffic information to all aircraft, then situational awareness is improved, but the complexity of verifying coverage eligibility and processing client lists increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by embedding the client list directly in the broadcast TIS-B data, allowing receiving aircraft to autonomously determine their own coverage status by comparing their identification against the list. This eliminates the need for complex centralized verification systems and reduces processing complexity while providing comprehensive information access.
3Loss of information
If non-participating aircraft can determine their coverage status, then situational awareness is enhanced for all aircraft, but the processing system must perform additional comparisons and determinations
Solution Approach 1:
The ATC ground station performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and broadcasting the client list identifying which aircraft are within coverage area. This allows receiving aircraft to perform simple local comparisons rather than complex real-time determinations, enhancing automation while reducing the computational burden on individual aircraft systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An ADS-B system associated with an aircraft is configured to furnish an indication whether the aircraft is within coverage of air traffic information transmitted by an air traffic control ground station. The ADS-B system receives transmissions from an air traffic control ground station that include air traffic information and a client list comprising identification addresses of aircraft included in the air traffic information. The ADS-B system determines whether the aircraft is within a range of a second aircraft and whether the second aircraft is included in the air traffic information by comparing an identification address of the second aircraft with the identification addresses in the client list. The ADS-B system furnishes an indication that the aircraft is within coverage of the air traffic information when the second aircraft is included in the air traffic information and the aircraft is within the range of the second aircraft.