ADS-B, MLAT & WAM
To boost efficiency, streamline operations, cut infrastructure costs and enhance safety, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) are looking at new technologies that can out-perform traditional radar for both air and ground surveillance. In many cases, they need to replace end-of-life radar systems, and would benefit from a lower-cost alternative.
Two key technologies within the domain of Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) are multilateration (MLAT) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B). MLAT analyses tiny differences between the times at which signals are received by multiple small ground stations to determine an aircraft’s position with greater accuracy and precision than conventional secondary radar. ADS-B relies on aircraft to broadcast their position, identification, velocity, projected path and other useful information. MLAT is backward-compatible with existing SSR transponders and forward-compatible with ADS-B.
The Quadrant product from Frequentis Comsoft uses advanced MLAT algorithms to provide 3D position measurements, and offers lightweight, cost-efficient ADS-B sensors as a replacement for – or addition to – SSR. Highly flexible, Quadrant can scale easily and rapidly to support requirements from a single remote deployment to national Wide Area Multilateration (WAM). The system could also be used by a consortium of regional airports to centralise ATC to a single location for reduced costs.
Quadrant employs patented Simultaneous Tracking and Calibration (STaC) technology developed by Frequentis Comsoft to maintain system synchronisation, enabling increased accuracy and reduced dependency on GPS timing signals.
By supporting a more accurate and detailed Air Situation Picture, Quadrant can enhance airport safety for both ground and air traffic. The system has a field-proven capacity to maintain throughput even in severe weather conditions and low visibility.
With small, easily accessible sensors that contain no moving parts and that can be installed on existing structures such as roofs or mobile network masts, Quadrant offers the potential for significant reductions in lifecycle cost compared with conventional radar. It also enables airports to reach operational readiness faster and with less capital investment.