FlightAware operates and is continually expanding a network of ADS-B ground stations that track ADS-B-equipped aircraft flying around the globe. FlightAware licenses live, worldwide

ADS-B data as a data feed or API to aviation users and application developers.

LIVE ADS-B FLIGHT POSITIONS DATA FEED

The Problem & The Solution

• Problem: The aviation industry needs a high-fidelity, inexpensive, and comprehensive way to track aircraft. • Ground based RADAR is being phased out. • Satellite datalink tracking is expensive to operate and

arguably low-fidelity.

• ADS-B data is becoming more valuable as more operators adopt to the 2017 (EU) and 2020 (US) mandate.

• Solution: Build an inexpensive, worldwide, ground-based ADS-B network to track aircraft. Provide the data to the industry.

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Technical Architecture: Data Feed

Traffic synchronisation covers all aspects related to improving arrival/departure management and sequence building in en route and TMA environments. It aims to achieve an optimum traffic sequence

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• FlightAware’s ADS-B data feed is available as a standalone solution or can be combined with additional FlightAware positional data feeds: – USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and/or New

Zealand – FlightAware VHF ACARS and satellite datalink – FlightAware estimated positions

• The data feed is updated continuously and available in streaming TCP socket in JSON format.

Technical Architecture: ADS-B Data

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Technical Architecture: Receiver Hardware

Traffic synchronisation covers all aspects related to improving arrival/departure management and sequence building in en route and TMA environments. It aims to achieve an optimum traffic sequence

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• FlightAware builds ADS-B receivers called FlightFeeders in-house and ships them around the world at no cost to high-need locations (areas with low coverage). These receivers come preloaded with FlightAware’s ADS-B data processing software.

• FlightAware also provides instructions for other hosts to build their own ADS-B receiver running FlightAware’s PiAware technology.

• FlightAware supports multiple receiver hardware types, including Raspberry Pi, Kinetic SBS-1 and SBS-3, AirNav Systems RadarBox, Mode-S Beast, RTL SDR dongles, RxControl Mode-S receiver, PlaneGadget Radar, miniADSB, microADSB, and Radarcape.

Technical Architecture: Receiver Hardware

Traffic synchronisation covers all aspects related to improving arrival/departure management and sequence building in en route and TMA environments. It aims to achieve an optimum traffic sequence

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• Components: – Ethernet

• Back of device. • Feeds ADS-B data to over

the internet to FlightAware • Feeds ADS-B data to the

local network. – Antenna jack

• Right side of device. • Hooks up to 1090 MHz

ADS-B antenna. – Micro USB

• Front of device. • Supplies power.

Network Statistics

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Current as of December 8, 2014: Number of total ADS-B sites: 1,334 Number of sites added in last 7 days: 78 Countries represented: 76 Hourly position volume: 2,100,000+

Due to the nature of the ADS-B frequency (1090 MHz) receivers with a suitable outdoor antenna installation can pick up aircraft at a range of up to 400 miles.

Network Statistics

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FlightAware Web Interface to View ADS-B Positions

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FlightAware Web Interface to View ADS-B Positions

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Benefits

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• ADS-B hosts win: they get to see ADS-B positions around their current location.

• FlightAware wins: we get a data feed of all ADS-B positions around the world, can use this information to augment current surveillance positions, and license the data to application developers.

• The ATM community wins: they have never had easy, inexpensive, and comprehensive access to a live a data feed and network of worldwide flight positions.

Thanks for your attention

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