ADS-B data evaluation by the trial project in western China

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a surveillance technology that uses position information broadcast by aircraft as a basis for surveillance. ADS-B technology can provide more timely, accuracy and abundant information about aircraft. ADS-B is a totally new surveillance method, so that before practically applied and operated in China, abundant tests and evaluations are necessary to validate the performance of ADS-B and guarantee the operational security. Based on this background, we will evaluate performance of the ADS-B system through comparing with baseline data from the flight inspection in western China. With the evaluation results, it would be much easier for CAAC and airlines to determine whether and how to use ADS-B in China. Currently, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is developing ADS-B in western China, with the aim of solving the lack of surveillance methods there caused by the complex terrain and costly maintenance. CAAC installed one ADS-B ground station at Chengdu and one at Jiuzhai in Apr. 2007,which monitored the targets of opportunity equipped with ADS-B equipments and collected the ADS-B data output from these aircraft continuously. The true locations of the aircraft are determined by onboard real-time kinematic (RTK) receiver. We will use the data from the ADS-B ground station to evaluate the performance of ADS-B technology, such as accuracy, integrity and so on.