Dynamic Multilateration for ADS-B Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft and vehicle tracking systems relying on self-reporting technologies like ADS-B are vulnerable to errors and intentional spoofing, lacking an effective backup validation method, particularly in aviation where accuracy and security are critical.
Innovation Solution
The use of dynamic multilateration and elliptical surveillance systems, leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems and dynamic unsynchronized remote interrogators to validate ADS-B self-reported positions by calculating the target's position using time difference of arrival and elliptical ranging, potentially with only two receivers, rather than the traditional three or four.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional multilateration systems use three or four fixed ground-based receivers to validate ADS-B positions, then position validation accuracy is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed ground-based receivers to dynamic mobile receivers that can move throughout the surveillance area. This allows the system to maintain validation capability with fewer receivers while improving geographic coverage and reducing infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile receivers serve multiple functions: they validate ADS-B positions, provide backup surveillance coverage, and can be deployed flexibly to different locations as needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated fixed infrastructure while maintaining validation accuracy.
2Device complexity
If ADS-B self-reporting is used for aircraft tracking, then system simplicity and coverage are improved, but reliability and security against spoofing deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using mobile receivers to continuously monitor and validate ADS-B reported positions. When discrepancies are detected between self-reported positions and independently measured positions, the system can identify potential spoofing attempts and alert operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile receivers perform preliminary validation of ADS-B signals before they are fully trusted for tracking purposes. By continuously checking position consistency using independent measurement methods, the system establishes a baseline of reliability before relying on self-reporting data.
3Area of stationary object
If extensive fixed ground-based receiver infrastructure is deployed for ADS-B validation, then validation coverage is improved, but deployment cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using mobile receivers that can be transported and deployed to different locations, the system achieves extensive validation coverage without requiring permanent fixed infrastructure at every location. This dramatically reduces deployment cost and time while maintaining broad geographic coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile receivers are designed to be self-contained units that can operate independently without requiring connection to extensive fixed infrastructure. They carry their own processing capabilities and can validate ADS-B signals autonomously, reducing the need for complex centralized processing facilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the coverage and reliability of ADS-B validation, reducing the need for additional sensors and increasing the area where self-reported positions can be validated, thereby improving the integrity and accuracy of aircraft tracking without relying on extensive fixed infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The aircraft location is then computed from the time difference of arrival of the transponder signal, as the transponder signal is received at multiple sensor locations
Implementation Method 2
Aircraft tracking relying on multilateration techniques are well established in the air traffic control industry
Implementation Method 3
The transponder signal is received at multiple sensor locations and processed to determine aircraft position and velocity vectors
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are disclosed to track aircraft (100) or other vehicles using techniques including multilateration and elliptical surveillance. Unlike conventional approaches that use time difference of arrival for multilateration at a fixed set of reception points, this technique allows targets (100) to be tracked from a number of dynamic or moving reception points (200). This allows for triangulation/multilateration and elliptical surveillance of targets (100) from combinations of fixed, fixed and moving or only moving ground-based receivers (400), sea-based receivers, airborne receivers and space-based receivers (200). Additionally this technique allows for ADS-B validation through data derived from only two receivers to assess the validity and integrity of the aircraft self-reported position by comparing the time of arrival of the emitted message at the second receiver to the predicted time of message arrival at the second receiver based on the self-reported position of the aircraft and the time of arrival at the first receiver. The benefits of using less than three receivers for validation include greater validation coverage areas using a smaller set of ground stations at a lower infrastructure cost.