Enhancing Separation Assurance by Using Newly Developed ADS-L Messages Containing GNSS Raw Measurement Data
Benjamin Lochow, Luisa Tautz, Maarten Uijt de Haag · 2024
This paper presents the implementation of the standard ADS-L (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Light) message compliant with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standard on top of an LTE datalink and the additional development and evaluation of a modified message including GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) raw measurements. The new ADS-L system enables electronic conspicuity (e-conspicuity) for users and increases the visibility of participants (e.g., UAVs and GA aircraft) in a mixed airspace. This advancement not only improves traffic situational awareness, but also enables separation assurance in mixed airspaces. The addition of a modified ADS-L message that contains raw GNSS measurements will further improve accuracy and integrity of the relative position solution and lead to more robust collision detection and avoidance. The paper will, furthermore, discuss recent flight tests results with manned and unmanned and review the benefits of using GNSS measurement-based ADS-L data for separation assurance. First results have shown that the ADS-L protocol and its modification allow for effective transmission of precise position and velocity data thereby enhancing separation assurance capabilities.