21 February 2015

Air Traffic Surveillance

Reference AIM COM 7.0

Recall: RADAR = RAdio Detection and Ranging (i.e. what's out there, which direction, and how far away?)

Primary Returns
  • computes target positions by determining range and azimuth of reflected radio frequency energy
  • passive - does not rely on info from aircraft
  • uses:
    • TSR (terminal surveillance radar) - short range (80 NM) to complement SSR
    • PAR (Precision Approach Radar) - approach aid
    • ASDE (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) - high def for aircraft and vehicles on manoeuvring areas
    • Weather Radar - monitor hazardous weather conditions

Secondary Returns
  • determines aircraft range by measuring the interval between transmitting an interrogation to and receiving a reply from an airborne transponder
  • uses:
    • enroute control - long range (200 NM)
    • terminal control - in conjunction with PSR

ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast)
  • uses aircraft avionics, satellites and/or ground infrastructure to relay a range of aircraft parameters to ATC
  • automatic (no external stimulus required) but dependent (relies on aircraft avionics)

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