Page 18 - AAA JUNE - JULY 2017 Online Magazine

FeAture ATC

New Era in Aviation Safety

An analysis of the technology behind ADS-B puts it generations ahead of the traditional
Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
By Aprajita Anil in Melbourne

to tHink tHAt in tHis Age oF Although the technology has been other information like the aircraft’s identity,
technological advancement, commercial progressively rolling out since 2004, the altitude etc. can be obtained only through
airlines in various locations continue to final mandate requires all instrument-flight- further request.
remain outside the surveillance network of rules (IFR) aircrafts flying the Australian The ADS-B system broadcasts the
the Global Positioning System, is unnerving. airspace to be fitted with serviceable ADS-B information real time - between once or
The Australian airspace has had a patchy equipment. An analysis of the technology twice every second. The SSR, on the other
surveillance coverage, with only about behind ADS-B not only puts it generations hand, can take anywhere between 5 to 12
18 per cent of the continent under radar ahead of the traditional Secondary seconds to obtain an aircraft’s position. This
network. However, on February 2, 2017, Surveillance Radar (SSR) but also highlights difference hugely impacts the efficiency of
the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) the insufficiency of the age-old radar system. the ground station in identifying and dealing
announced a new era in Australian aviation Here is looking at certain features. ADS-B with potentially hazardous situations.
safety with the introduction of Automatic system enables the aircraft to automatically Under the SSR, flights have been following
Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B). transmit information in terms of its identity, strict air lanes under supervision from air
This satellite-based technology for location, air speed, altitude and emergency traffic controllers. Since the ADS-B system
controlling air traffic in the nation’s skies is a indication (if any) to the satellite, which then increases a pilot’s situational awareness, it
fundamental transformation that is intended broadcasts the information over unencrypted helps reducing traffic separation especially
to increase the capacity and safety of the data link to all ADS-B in equipped aircrafts in in busy airspaces, allowing pilots/controllers
air transportation system. A key to keep the its vicinity as well as the ground stations. The to plot more direct routes, thus saving time,
Australian aviation at the forefront of safety, GPS is further used to establish the flight’s fuel and eventually cutting cost. The ADS-B
the mandate is a result of many years of joint ascend, descend and turns, generating a system keeps the pilots as well as the
effort of CASA, department of infrastructure precise air picture. Meanwhile, although the controllers on the same page by providing
and regional development, Airservices SSR detects and measures the aircraft’s a consistent airspace surveillance picture.
Australia, and aircraft operators. bearings using the reflected radio signals, But this pair of additional eyes goes missing

18 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE JUNE / JULY 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA