United Nations agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted the main technical principals of an improved aircraft automatic dependent surveillance system through satellite to help track aircraft flying worldwide.
The principals are expected to help implement the reception of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS–B) to improve surveillance of aircraft, especially in oceanic, trans-polar and remote areas where terrestrial receivers cannot be deployed.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Published in a new technical report of ITU, the principals are also anticipated to support the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) global aeronautical distress and safety system.
ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao said: “Since the tragic loss of life with the disappearance of flight MH370 in 2014 over the South China Sea, ITU has undertaken activities to improve the tracking of in-flight aircraft using advanced information and communication technologies.
“The adoption of these technical principals for enhanced aircraft surveillance via satellite will make great strides in saving lives.”
Aircraft automatic dependent surveillance is designed to enable an aircraft to automatically provide precise data from the onboard navigation and position-fixing systems, including aircraft identification, four-dimensional position and additional data via a data link.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe automatic system does not require any intervention from the pilot or interrogation from terrestrial stations and is dependent upon onboard systems such as global positioning system and altimeter.
The system transmits information to relevant airline operators and air traffic control centres to track the aircraft, as well as identify any anomalies in its flight profile and begin emergency procedures where necessary.
Around 59,000 aircraft are estimated to fly around the world at any given time and satellite-based ADS–B is expected to help the operators to track, monitor and report any incidents involving these aircraft.
