Cooperative Area Passive Tracking Systems (CAPTS)

Carl Schwab, Fred Goodrich

Abstract:	This paper describes CAPTS (Cooperative Area Passive Tracking System) a ground based multilateration system which utilizes emission from either ATCRBS or Mode “S” transponders to provide information regarding the identification and position of cooperative targets. CAPTS is designed for Air Traffic Control/Management use in terminal areas and provides continuous, seam- less coverage from a range of 60 miles from the. terminal continuing on the airport surface right up to the gate. CAPTS uses TDOA (Time Difference Of Arrival) to locate the position of transponder equipped aircraft. This unique system utilizes asynchronous regular transmissions of the aircraft identity and pressure altitude in standard ATCRBS or Mode “S” format. The paper presents an over- view of the system, data reflecting the accuracy of the system, its impact on Mode “S” as a data link and CAPTS advantages over rho- theta systems for handling high density terminal area traffic. A discussion of CAPTS relationship to ADS (Automatic Dependent Surveillance), GPS (Global Positioning System) and other components of FANS (Future Air Navigation System) is included in the paper. CAPTS has been developed by Cardion, Inc., a Siemens company that has been involved in the development of radar, navaids, displays and communications for over 30 years.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1992) June 29 - 1, 1992 ANA Westin Hotel Dayton, OH
Pages:	189 - 196
Cite this article:	Schwab, Carl, Goodrich, Fred, "Cooperative Area Passive Tracking Systems (CAPTS)," Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1992), Dayton, OH, June 1992, pp. 189-196.
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