ADS-B/TIS-B Validation Testbed (AVT)

 

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information Service –Broadcast (TIS-B) are complementary air traffic surveillance services which are considered to be prime enablers for the next generation of  Air Traffic Control (ATC)  applications expected to be introduced in Europe in the forthcoming years. These applications and the required ADS-B and TIS-B surveillance infrastructure need to be validated before their operational implementation. AVT is a validation tool developed at the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre on behalf of the EUROCONTROL ADS Programme for this purpose.

AVT is a multi-link ADS-B and TIS-B surveillance platform replicating the architecture advocated by EUROCONTROL, which envisages that the current multi-radar sensor infrastructure is overlaid with a network of ADS-B and TIS-B ground stations. Data from all surveillance sources are fed to cooperating Surveillance Data Processing (Tracker) Systems (SDPS) that produce a seamless fused surveillance picture. The latter is supplied to ATC controller working positions, flight data processing systems, controller support tools, and also (via TIS-B) to pilot cockpits in order to support airborne surveillance applications. 

 

Validation exercises will require the complete ATM system chain from pilot to controller with participation of simulated and eventually live aircraft. For this reason AVT has been integrated with the ESCAPE platform which provides Controller Working Positions and Flight Data Processing capability as well as aircraft simulators that are capable of transmitting ADS-B and receiving ADS-B and TIS-B messages. Furthermore AVT has an open architecture supporting standard surveillance interfaces (e.g. ASTERIX) to enable use of third party components and surveillance data sources.

AVT is implemented in Phases. AVT Phase 1 was completed in 2002, while AVT Phase 2 has just been completed. AVT Phase 2 includes the following components:

·         ARTAS version 2S1 SDP system;

  • VHF Datalink Mode 4 and UAT datalinks for ADS-B and TIS-B;
  • Connection to live SSR, Mode S, and flight plan data sources;
  • ESCAPE version 2003A
  • MCS: Pilotable aircraft (Airbus 320) simulator including full cockpit controls and displays and generating ADS-B data including aircraft derived data such as Controller Access Parameters and Intent.
  • Connection to ADS-B data distribution networks from NUP and ADS-MEDUP.

AVT Phase 2 demonstrations with live air traffic  were organised  in Arlanda, Stockholm  and also at the EEC, Brétigny. The Arlanda demonstration was organised jointly with the Swedish CAA (LFV) and took place on the 4th of November 2003. The EEC demonstration was organised on the 20th of November 2003 to mark the end of the Site Acceptance Tests at Brétigny. In that case VDL-4 and UAT equipped aircraft were used in parallel with live radar data and also simulated aircraft.  The demonstration reports and associated presentations will be published shortly on the EUROCONTROL ADS Programme website

 

 

 

 

AVT Phase 2

An AVT Phase 3 is foreseen for 2004 which will include support for advanced aircraft derived data, link error modelling for simulated aircraft, and support for airborne applications, e.g. use of CDTI in the cockpit. Further AVT development is foreseen for 2005 to address surveillance data processing onboard the aircraft (fusion of ADS-B, TIS-B and ACAS data) and also airport operations.

As of 2004 AVT will be used for ground surveillance application (GSA) validation exercises with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) in coordination with the EUROCONTROL ADS Programme. Negotiations are in progress with multiple ANSPs. For further information on AVT and GSA validation exercises please contact Dr. C. TAMVACLIS.

AVT development is part of the ADS-B Studies and Trials activities at EEC within the Sector, Safety, and  Productivite Business Area of the EEC. Further information on these activities can be found at the ASTP web page.