ero21-00930070

The 21st International Conference of Iranian Aerospace Society

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Design and Implement of a Configurable ADS-B Out System Complying with

RTCA DO-260 B and C
Arezoo Alimadadi, Parisa Ghasemian, Nader Peiravian, Hossein Ghasemian*
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Shiraz University of Technology, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-
B) is a surveillance system installed on airplanes,
aerodrome mobiles, and other objects to periodically
broadcast and/or receive their identification, velocity,
position, and additional data by Mode S-Extended
Squitter (1090ES) data link. ADS-B systems have 2
subsystems: ADS-B In and ADS-B Out. In the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
definitions of ADS-B subsystems, ADS-B Out
broadcasts aircraft state vectors and navigation
information. ADS-B In, as the complementary of ADS-
B Out subsystem, provides air-to-air awareness of
Fig. 1: An illustration of the ADS-B system includes ADS-B
situations to pilots. A fully operational ADS-B system In, ADS-B Out, and ground station.
(ADS-B Out and ADS-B In) must comply with the
avionics and navigation standards. The RTCA DO-260 board broadcast transmission systems to provide
standard includes minimum operational performance navigation and surveillance information to other users.
requirements for airborne equipment for ADS-B The airplane originating the broadcast will have no
systems using 1090ES. An operational ADS-B Out knowledge of which users are receiving its broadcast.
system must be certified by RTCA DO-260 standard. ADS-B system on an aircraft is categorized into ADS-B
Compliance with DO-260 standards is recommended Out and ADS-B In services [7]. Based on the
by designers, manufacturers, and users as one of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
essential means of assuring that the equipment will definitions of ADS-B subsystems, ADS-B Out
satisfactorily perform its intended functions under periodically transmits aircraft-related information
conditions encountered in normal aviation operations. provided by sensors and navigation systems installed on
Versions B and C of DO-260 were released in the aircraft. ADS-B In receives the broadcasted data of
December 2011 and December 2020, respectively. ADS-B Out and weather information. ADS-B also need
Therefore, there are differences in the operational ground stations to receive the broadcasted data from
registers of these two versions. Hence, the proposed aircraft. The ground station decodes the received
ADS-B Out system is designed to be compliant with information and sends them to Air Traffic Control
DO-260 standard versions B and C. The proposed (ATC) automation systems for display on the screens of
system can easily toggle between two DO-260 standard air traffic controllers. An illustration of the ADS-B
versions. The experimental assessments demonstrate system is illustrated in Fig. 1. With ADS-B, an aircraft
the reliable operation of the manufactured ADS-B Out. position is detected by an onboard Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) [7,8]. ADS-B Out broadcasts
Keywords: Aircraft, Surveillance System, Air Traffic the aircraft's position along with other data such as path,
Control, Ground Station, DO-260 standard, ADS-B. heading, altitude, and velocity to the ground station and
other nearby ADS-B In equipped aircraft within its
1. Introduction range. Any user, either aircraft or ground-based, within
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) the range of the broadcast, may choose to process the
is a surveillance system installed on airplanes and
aerodrome mobiles to automatically send and/or receive ADS-B Mode S Packet
GNSS, Nav,
important information including identification, velocity, and ```

Other Data
position, and additional data in a broadcast mode via a
data link. ADS-B is automatic because no external Message
Message
stimulus is required [1-7]. It is dependent because it Pilot Input Generation
Exchange
Function
(Call Sign) Function
Transmit
relies on on-board horizontal position sources and on-
1. Shiraz University of Technology, researcher.
2. Shiraz University of Technology, researcher. Pressure
Altittude
3. Shiraz University of Technology, researcher.
4. Shiraz University of Technology, assistant professor, Email:
H.ghasemian@ sutech.ac.ir (corresponding author) Fig. 2: The schematic diagram of an ADS-B Out system [1,2].
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1090 MHz
received ADS-B surveillance information. The ground Transmit
station sends the received ADS-B messages to a Antenna
surveillance data processing system for utilization by
the ATC system [3,4] & [7-10].
A fully operational ADS-B system (ADS-B Out and Modulator &
ADS-B In) must comply with the avionics and 1090 MHz
navigation standards. The RTCA DO-260 standard Transmitter
includes minimum operational performance
requirements for airborne equipment for ADS-B
systems using 1090ES. An operational ADS-B Out
Fig. 4: The schematic diagram of the Message Assembler &
system must be certified by RTCA DO-260 standard. Encoder block [1,2].
Compliance with DO-260 standards is recommended to
ensure that the aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out will As shown in Fig.3, in the Input Interface & buffer sub-
satisfactorily perform its intended functions under block, either input data is delivered directly through the
conditions encountered in normal aviation operations. supplied data sources (e.g., the GNSS, the altitude
Versions B and C of DO-260 were released in December encoder, and the control box) or through a data
2011 and December 2020, respectively. Therefore, there concentrator which is an interface between the
are differences in the operational registers of these two transponder and the input data.
versions. In this paper an ADS-B Out system is The 1090 MHz ES data is transmitted by the Message
presented to be compliant with DO-260 standard Assembler & Encoder block. As depicted in Fig.4, this
versions B and C. The proposed system can easily block includes a Modulator & 1090 MHz Transmitter
toggle between two DO-260 standard versions. and 1090 MHz Transmit Antenna. The Modulator &
The rest of this paper is organized as follows: The 1090 MHz Transmitter performs the pulse position
ADS-B Out system is introduced in section 2. Section 3 modulation (PPM) on ADS-B Out message based on
presents the ADS-B Out message formats. In section 4, EUROCAE standard [5,6]. Fig. 5 shows the ADS-B Out
the experimental results are shown, and the operational message format. As shown in Fig. 5, the ADS-B Out
compliance table is presented. Finally, the paper is message is formed of four preamble pulses followed by
concluded in section 5. the PPM encoding of the message data. In PPM
encoding, a pulse transmitted in the first half of the
2. ADS-B Out System
interval represents “1” while a pulse transmitted in the
Fig. 2 depicts the schematic diagram of an ADS-B Out
second half represents “0”. By utilizing the PPM
system. As shown in Fig. 2, the ADS-B Out comprises
encoding, the message contents are preserved by parity
two main blocks: Message Generation Function (MGF)
checking in the coding algorithm. Besides, using the
and Message Exchange Function Transmit (MEFG). An
PPM encoding protects the ADS-B Out message from
ADS-B Out system gathers the position, velocity,
air traffic control radar beacon system (ATCRBS) signal
identification, and status information from associated
interferences. Finally, the ADS-B Out PPM message is
systems installed on an aircraft and then broadcasts this
transmitted by the 1090 MHz Transmit Antenna unit.
information in Mode S-Extended Squitter (ES) on 1090
In ADS-B, the position and state vector estimations are
MHz. The input data to an ADS-B Out system can be
sourced in the aircraft and data-linked to the ground.
provided by a GNSS system, an Altitude encoder
Depending on the equipment and positioning method,
system, and/or a control box module. The pilot can
the accuracy and integrity may vary between aircraft
deliver the call sign input by the control box module. In
and over time. Therefore, the accuracy and integrity of
Fig. 3 and 4, these two main building blocks of ADS-B
information are provided as variables in the ADS-B
Out are illustrated in more detail [1,2].
message and determined by NIC, NUC, and SIL
Message Generation Function block collects and
variables [1,2] & [5,6].
organizes the information transmitted through 1090ES.
This block includes two sub-blocks of Input Interface &
buffer and Message Assembler & Encoder [5,6].
GNSS, Nav,
and
Other Data Message Generation Function

I/F Control,
Pilot Input Input Nav update,
(Call Sign) Interface & Message
Buffer Assembler &
Encoder

Pressure
Altittude Fig. 5: the ADS-B Out message signal composed of four
preamble pulses followed by the PPM encoding message data
Fig. 3: The schematic diagram of the Message Generation [1,2].
Function block [1,2].
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Bit # 1 --- 5 6 --- 8 9 --- 32 33 --- 88 89 --- 112

Navigation Integrity Category (NIC) is a coded
parameter in the ADS-B message that is used to report DF=17 DF=17 CA AA: ADS-B Out PI
Field [5] [3] ICAO Message [24]
the maximum position error that may not be detected. Names Address “ME” Field
Navigation Uncertainty Category (NUC) is a coded [24] [56]
variable in the ADS-B message that is used to reflect the Fig. 6: the ADS-B Out message format
maximum position error that may not be detected with a
predefined probability. NUC originates in the position- 3.2. Determining the type of ADS-B Out messages
determining system and is broadcasted by aircraft All ADS-B out broadcasted messages have a basic
complying with DO-260/ED-102 or amendment no. 77 structure. In this format, the TYPE Code field
to Annex 10. categorizes the 1090ES messages into several distinct
Surveillance Integrity Limit (SIL) is a variable that classes. These classes are airborne position, airborne
indicates the probability that the position error is greater velocity, surface position, identification and category,
than NIC and undetected. NIC and SIL are broadcasted aircraft intent, aircraft status, etc. Besides, each of these
by aircraft complying with DO-260 [1,2]. classes has its unique structure. In addition, the Type
Code field defines the value of the reference NIC used
3. The ADS-B Out message formats to report the position. Because the amount of NIC in
The ADS-B Out message is sent at 1090 MHz ES data surveillance applications determines whether the
link. The contents of the ADS-B Out message are the reported horizontal position from Radius of
provided data by state sensors and navigation systems Containment (RC) is optimal for the intended
installed on the aircraft. Data from state sensors and application. Also, the Type Code format divides
navigation systems are stored in various registers. broadcasted messages into two categories based on
Therefore, these registers are accessible when an height measurements: the transmitted messages include
ADS-B Out message is generated. The ADS-B Out barometric pressure altitude, and the transmitted
message format is shown in Figure 6. The message messages include geometric altitude [1,2].
contains 112 bits. As shown in Fig. 6, the middle 56 bits, The structure of the ADS-B Out messages sent in DO-
message bits 33 through 88, are called Message 260 B and DO-260 C contains the differences that are
Extended Squitter (ME). The registered values of state described in Table 1 to 4. The differences are related to
sensors and navigation systems are inserted in the ME the increase in the position resolutions and adding some
field. The 56 remainder bits include 8 control bits (i.e., additional registers in the two versions of the DO260
DF and CA), 24 ICAO address bits (i.e., AA: message standard.
bits 9 through 32), and 24 error detection parity bits (i.e.,
PI: message bits 89 through 112). The CA field Table 1: The differences between the Subtype codes of DO-
describes the capabilities of the Mode S transponder, the 260 B and DO-260 C.
AA field holds the transponder’s 24-bit ICAO address, Type Subtype code of Subtype code of
the ME field holds the body of the ADS-B Out Message, code DO-260 C DO-260 B
0 0
and the PI field holds parity check bits [1,2].
1-2
19 1-4
3-4
5-7 5-7
3.1. The ME field
According to Fig. 6, the contents of the ME field are 56 Table 2: The differences between the RC and NIC values in
bits and constitute the body of the ADS-B Out message. DO-260 B and DO-260 C.
Therefore, the ME field is sent in each transmitted RC of NIC of RC of NIC of
Type
message and carries most of the ADS-B Out message DO-260 DO-260 DO-260 DO-260
code
data. The first five bits of the ME field are called Type C C B B
Code. Also, the two or three bits after Type Code (i.e., RC<1111.2 m NIC=6
bits 6 and 7 of ME) form the Subtype Code. The Type RC< 1852 m NIC=5 RC ≥ 25 m
22 RC< 3.704 km NIC=4 or NIC=0
Code value and Subtype Code values (if any) determine RC ≥ 3.704 km unknown
which of several messages ADS-B Out are carried and NIC=0
or unknown
sent by this structure [1,2].
The ME field is different for various ADS-B Out Table 3: The differences between the NIC Supplement in
messages in DO-260 versions B and C. The designed DO-260 B and DO-260 C.
and manufactured ADS-B complies with these two Type NIC Supplement of NIC Supplement of
versions. Therefore, by using a jumper switch, the code DO-260 C DO-260 B
manufactured ADS-B Out can operate under DO-260 A B C D A B C
versions B or C. -- -- -- 3
In the next section, the main differences between DO- 20
-- -- -- 2
0 0 -
260 versions B and C are explained. -- -- -- 1
-- -- -- 0
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GNSSAnt.
Table 4: The differences between message type in DO-260 B
On-board
and DO-260 C. GNSS
POWER supply
Monitoring
sensors
External
GPS LAN

1090 MHz Antenna

Format Subtype Format ARM 10/100

Subtype Module
(message Code (message 1090 MHz
Code Receiver chain

Type type) of of type) of

of Transceiver FPGA based
code DO-260 DO-260 DO-260 Module
Reset
Arinc 429
DO-260 Processor cntrl
C B B 1090 MHz
C Receiver chain
Arinc 429
DDR SD
0 HVA Position module memory
RS422/232
Message
25 1 HVA Velocity ---- Reserved Fig. 7: The schematic diagram of the proposed ADS-B Out
Message system
2-3 Reserved
0 (ADS-B Wx)
Aircraft State 1090MHz

1 (ADS-B Wx)
Weather State GNSS
26 ---- Reserved
2 (ADS-B Wx)
Alternate
Weather State
3 Reserved

GNSSCable

RFCable
4. The designed ADS-B Out Structure and
Experimental Assessment ADS-B Out

The schematic diagram of the proposed ADS-B Out

ATC
system is depicted in Fig. 7. The proposed system
benefits from an on-board GNSS module. The Ground
manufactured ADS-B Out system also contains two Station
GNSS& Altitude
ARINC 429 data labels for the required information to Encoder Simulator
be obtained from avionics buses. Table 5 summarize the
main specifications of the manufactured ADS-B Out. Fig. 8: The test setup of the ADS-B Out system
The test setup of the manufactured ADS-B Out system
is shown in Fig. 8. The setup test consists of the
manufactured ADS-B Out, a GNSS and altitude
encoder simulator, and the ADS497 ground station and
the ATC system manufactured by Havayee-industry
company. The manufactured ADS-B Out system with
the address field (AA) of “ABC727” is programmed.
Fig. 9 (a) and (b) show the real-time ADS-B Out
broadcasted data in the ATC monitor system. The
ground station receives and processes the ADS-B Out
messages. The information extracted by the ground
station is then delivered to the ATC system under the
ASTRIX Cat-21 EUROCONTROL protocol to be (a)
plotted on the screen.

5. Concluding Remarks
In this paper, an ADS-B Out system was presented. The
ADS-B Out system was proposed to be installed on any
aircraft and aerodrome mobile. This system periodically
broadcasts the identification, velocity, and position
information in compliance with RTCA DO-260
standard. The RTCA DO-260 standard includes
minimum operational performance requirements for
airborne equipment using 1090ES. Versions B and C of
DO-260 were released in December 2011 and
December 2020, respectively. Therefore, there were (b)
differences in the operational registers of these two
versions. The proposed system was manufactured in Fig. 9: The ADS-B Out broadcasted data programmed with
compliance with DO-260 standard versions. The AA= “ABC727” in the ATC monitor system: (a) real-time
experimental assessments showed the reliable operation position plot, (b) historical position plot.
of the manufactured ADS-B Out.
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Table 5: The specifications of the manufactured ADS-B Out Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-
system. B) and Traffic Information Services – Broadcast (TIS-B)
Item Specification Value ”, Washington, DC: RTCA.
1 Type ADS-B Out [3] Ian Levitt, William J. Hughes, “MODELING ADS-B
2
Compliance DO-260 B, DO-260 C, ED-73F, OUT SYSTEM LATENCY”, Technical Center, Federal
ED-102B, DO-181F, DO-242 Aviation Administration, Atlantic City, NJ, 31st Digital
ADS-B Out Transmitter Characteristics Avionics Systems Conference, October 14-18, 2012
Carrier
3 1090 ±1 MHz [4] Busyairah Syd Ali, “System specifications
Frequency
RF Peak Min:51 dBm (125 W)
fordevelopinganAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-
4
Output Power Max: 57 dBm (500 W) Broadcast(ADS-B) monitoring system” ,Elsevier, 2016.
Modulation [5] EUROCAE (2020). ED-73F, “Minimum Operational
5 Pulse Position Modulation (PPM)
Performance Standards (Mops) For Secondary
Rise Time > 0.1µsec Surveillance Radar Mode S Transponders”.
6 Pulse Shapes
Decay Time > 0.2µsec [6] RTCA (2020). DO-181F, “Minimum Operational
Frequency Maximum Performance Standards For Air Traffic Control Radar
difference Relative Beacon System/Mode Select (Atcrbs/Mode S) Airborne
(MHz from 1090 Response
ADS-B Out MHz) (dB Down
Equipment”, Washington, DC: RTCA.
7
Transmission From Peak) [7] Amy Fritz, “Precise Position Service To Satisfy Ads-B
Message Out Mandate”, The MITRE Corporation, Bedford,
≥ 1.3 and <7 3
Spectrum Massachusetts, IEEE,2012
≥ 7 and <23 20
≥ 23 and <78 40 [8] Birendra Kujur, Samer Khanafseh, Boris Pervan,
≥ 78 60 “Detecting GNSS spoofing of ADS-B equipped aircraft
using INS”, MMAE Department Illinois Institute of
Technology Chicago, USA , IEEE,2020.
[9] Jie Wang, Dong Song, Runchen Liang, Pei Han, “ADS-B
and UAV Signal Monitoring System Design
6. References
Based on Spectrum Sensing”, School of Aeronautics
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' China ,
[1] RTCA (2020). DO-260C, “Minimum Operational
IEEE,2019.
Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter
[10] Sunquan Yu, Lihu Chen, Songting Li and Xiang Zhang
Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-
“Adaptive Multi-beamforming for Space-based ADS-
B) and Traffic Information Services – Broadcast (TIS-B)
B”, College of Aerospace Science and Engineering,
”, Washington, DC: RTCA.
National University of Defense Technology, P.R. China,
[2] RTCA (2011). DO-260B, “Minimum Operational
USA , University of Leicester, on 18 Nov 2018.
Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter