Beacon Multilateration to Facilitate ADS-B

Edmund J. Koenke, Michael Geyer, Richard Lay, Janis Vilcans

Abstract:	ABSTRACT: This paper analytically demonstrates the technical feasibility of a multilateration system that can operate with Mode C or Mode S beacon transponder signals. It can provide a backup to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) surveillance with almost the same accuracies and update rates, can support advanced ATC automation functions, and facilitates a smooth transition from the existing Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) system to the future ADS-B surveillance system without additional avionics beyond the SSR Mode C or Mode S transponder. It will therefore, provide surveillance of aircraft without advanced avionics in mixed airspace, thus, setting the stage for eventual decommissioning of the radar beacon system. Multilateration overcomes the two major obstacles to the evolution of the SSR system to ADS-B, namely, the requirements for: ADS-B avionics equipage; and, ADS-B backup. However, several issues, including system operational modes, position determination technique, accuracy, interference, capacity, coverage, and automation support in a realistic National Airspace System (NAS) environment must be addressed and resolved in order to seriously consider development and implementation of the beacon multilateration system in the United States. This paper presents an overall concept description and treats each of these issues in the context of the expected NAS airspace environment in the foreseeable future.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 53rd Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1997) June 30 - 2, 1997 Albuquerque, NM
Pages:	327 - 336
Cite this article:	Koenke, Edmund J., Geyer, Michael, Lay, Richard, Vilcans, Janis, "Beacon Multilateration to Facilitate ADS-B," Proceedings of the 53rd Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1997), Albuquerque, NM, June 1997, pp. 327-336.
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