ADS-B
General information
ADS-B is an addition to transponders of manned aircraft which transmits position and velocity data. link Wikipedia
The idea is to use this information to stay safe of these aircraft.
WARNING: Not all aircraft are equipped with this system, it can just be an aid in situational awareness!
It can be used in conjunction with the TCAS functionality: Paparazzi TCAS
Receiver and integration
Originally ADS-B receivers are expensive.
But now there is the opportunity to use DVB USB sticks as cheap software defined radios covering the required frequency.
Here we use the following projects:
Both need to be installed as documented on their homepages.
dump1090 is then started with the --net option to open a server supplying the information on port 30033 The option --interactive nicely shows which planes are received and in your browser at http://localhost:8080/ you can see it on a map.
The integration to paparazzi is realized through a module reading the port of dump1090 and forwarding it to the IVY bus. Additionally it reads the data of the corresponding UAV through IVY to calculate a distance.
Use
- To show the intruder in the GCS and have it broadcasted, build an A/C in Paparazzi Center called Intruder with the ID 99.
- Start a Paparazzi Session, probably a simulation for the start...
- Start ivy_sbs_bridge AC-ID, with AC-ID being the ID of the flying UAV for distance calculations.
Code: ivy_sbs_bridge Code (To be integrated in git soon...)
Some information is provided in a small window.
The tool connects to localhost, if no dedicated SBS server and port is given after AC-ID
Demonstration Video
The standard DVB antenna was standing in the middle of the room... These receivers are really sensitive.
Possible expansions
- Forward more than one intruder to the system (should be easy, if necessary)
- Output a warning if a non-ADS-B transponder is received at the UAV's altitude (many general aviation aircraft have only Mode C/S transponders)
- Additionally receive FLARM since this is widely used in gliders. This was already done badly coded. Drawback is, the receivers cost several hundred Euros.