System specifications for developing an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) monitoring system

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a surveillance system placed in aircraft that periodically transmits state vector estimates and other information to air traffic control centers and other nearby aircraft (and may also receive traffic and weather information from various entities). The state vector estimates are derived from navigation avionics and are transmitted via a common communications channel, which means that ADS-B is highly dependent on aircraft navigation and communication systems. ADS-B also requires ground stations to receive information from aircraft. As a result of this complex architecture, the ADS-B system is prone to various failure modes. A systematic and comprehensive performance monitoring system is required to ensure the safe use of ADS-B data for air traffic control operations. It is vital that such monitoring systems are in place before a global ADS-B implementation date is mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization. A number of air navigation service providers and regulators have developed ADS-B performance monitoring methods without a standardized guideline for system specifications. These include Airservices Australia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, EUROCONTROL, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong. This paper presents a holistic set of system specifications for ADS-B monitoring systems. In particular, the paper analyzes the ADS-B infrastructure, conducts a systematic review of existing ADS-B monitoring systems, classifies the system characteristics to identify gaps, and derives a set of specifications for developing ADS-B monitoring systems. The paper also assesses the compliance of existing ADS-B monitoring systems against the proposed specifications using a mapping exercise. The system specifications serve as a foundation or minimum requirements for air navigation service providers and original equipment manufacturers to develop systematic and comprehensive ADS-B monitoring systems